Bonus

This morning as usual there was a Cruiser group run. Once a quarter the Cruisers also have "trash pick-up" they sponsor a portion of Hwy 89 and we pick up trash along a mile stretch. Since joining the Cruisers I have twice helped with the trash pick-up. I was sad that the timing didn't work out for me to help today because it is always fun and a chance to get to visit with fellow Cruisers.

Well Kelly and I got a little bonus this morning, not only did we get to go to Starbuck's with Michele, Kim and the Davis brothers but we also got to have breakfast with the Cruisers. Just as we were pulling into Team 1 Robert called to tell Kelly they were all headed to "Jane's Kitchen" to have breakfast. Michele had to go home but Kelly and I decided to go join them. Of course I was a little worried they might not let us since we didn't pick up trash. LOL

Pictures from Saturday

I am so bummed the first picture is so blurry!! :(

Also Gary and Curtis are friends of both myself and Arland and I sent him these pictures as they were taken.

The trip to Starbucks was a great time, and it was so nice to get to spend some time with the guys. We don't get to see them very often so it was a real treat to spend some time with them today!

Saturday on the River Trail

As has been my habit the last few weeks I planned on meeting Cheryl Saturday morning to run with the LR Marathon training group.
Kim got back into town this week and she came with us as did Kelly and Michele.
I met the Cabot girls at Team 1 and then we picked Kim up at the Community Center in J-ville.
It was quite a lively trip to NLR 4 girls in one car the conversation was flowing. When we got to the designated meeting spot Cheryl was already there and came over to greet us. She was starting off the run with a headache, never a good start!
When I first got up this morning I had put on running pants and was planning on wearing two long sleeve shirts. Lucky for me not so lucky for him Arland was called out on a car accident. It turned out that the persons involved fled the scene so there was nothing for the FD to do, it was a job for the police. Anyway he got home before I had finished dressing and let me know that it was 53 degrees out side and humid. I immediately changed into a running skirt and a short sleeve tech shirt with a long sleeve over it. WELL when we got out of the car at the River Trail it was NOT 53 degrees!! The wind was howling and it felt pretty chilly. Although it was cold at first I ended up being dressed just right!

There was a huge crowd this morning and people were doing quite a variety of miles. We all took off together and just as we were approaching the only real bathroom on the trail we noticed a lady heading towards it...oh my gosh they were open! At that time I didn't really feel like I needed it, but I try to not turn down a real bathroom when it is avaliable. Kelly headed that way first and then Cheryl and I.
After the break we kind of broke off into two different groups, Kim & Cheryl and Kelly, Michele and I. My goal for this run was to not take any walk breaks.
The first 6 miles I felt great and didn't walk except for a few seconds to get a drink of water. A couple of times Kelly did need a short walk break and Michele and I would keep going just at a slower pace and then we would circle back for her. This worked really well for me and I was able to keep my energy up through most of the run.
On the way to the turn around spot the wind was kind of hitting us sideways, but boy oh boy when we turned around... fierce head wind!! And the way back has a few pretty steep inclines.
A couple of miles after the turn around we were approaching one of the longer/steeper hills on the way back, I have always hated that hill and I have walked it many times. So far this morning I hadn't had to walk any hills and was feeling pretty good about it. But wouldn't you know just as we were approaching that hill my stomach did a flip flop kind of thing and I felt like I needed to use the bathroom. I told the girls... I think Michele thought I was faking it so I wouldn't have to run up the hill!! LOL But I showed her and I did make it all the way up, but at the top I didn't feel so good. Luckily though it calmed down and I was able to keep running. Kelly took a quick break but I just kept going, I looked back once and Michele said "you're good" she knew what was happening. I needed to just keep running as fast as I could to get to the port - a - pottie in case things started going south with my stomach.
Luckily everything behaved and I made it to the port a pottie and was able to resolve the issue.
I heard Kim and Cheryl go by as I was inside...
Once we started running again my Garmin started beeping at me. I didn't have my reading contact in so I asked Kelly to tell me what it was saying, but she couldn't see it either. Finally Michele told me it said something about too much data. It has happened before and I knew it wasn't going to accurately track the rest of the run so I just stopped it.
I really hate when things malfunction with the Garmin in the middle of a run :(
but today I didn't let it get to me.
After the port-a-pottie we only had about 2 miles left, we had run further out than we had to so we were a little ahead on mileage. We were on a stretch of road that kind of connects the River Trail, I was starting to feel a little fatigued, at this point we were all back together. I had been thinking about Gary and Curtis, I had tried to work out a way that we would be able to run together this morning but nothing had been resolved before I left this morning. I had been hoping to see them somewhere along the trail but had just about given up hope when all of a sudden they flew by us on their bikes. Perfect timing!! We arranged to meet at Star Bucks so they headed back in the opposite direction to their car. I was glad that we had run a little further on the way out because it meant that we would get to walk a little at the end. We walked it in and then turned around for Cheryl and Kim, I knew something was wrong because they were too far behind us and then I saw them walking. It turns out that Kim's knee was really bothering her. She thought it might be IT Band issues and was asking Michele questions about it. Michele has battled IT issues off and on for quite a while now and she is a PT so she was the perfect person to ask.

I know this run didn't turn out the way Kim or Cheryl wanted, but it was a really good run for me. Other than the port-a-pottie break I only took two really quick water breaks.
I might not be fast but I am building my endurance and that felt great!
I had a 10:11 avg for the first 7.8 miles. I'm waiting to talk to Kelly to find out what our last two miles were.

Starbuck's pictures to come on the next post.

Track Workout

Last night we had our Flyer's workout at the High School Track. I normally don't like the track but it definately has advantages!! A nice even surface being one of them especially important when you are doing speed work.

I arrived a little early last night I needed 5 miles to get in 40 miles for the week. Arland thinks I'm weird because I have been counting my running weeks as Saturday Thru Thursday. I do that because Friday is my rest day so it kind of makes sense, to me at least that Saturday is my first run of the week and Thursday is my last.

Bailey, Cindy and Robert were also there, so we all started off on our warm up jog. I ran/chatted with Bailey for most of it. She is a speedy thing but she was running at her relaxed pace so it was a nice run. One of the other advantages of the high school track is the normally clean port-a-potties. I had to take advantage of them twice last night. Not for stomach issues though, thank goodness!!! They weren't as clean as normal, I guess maybe they haven't been emptying it because school has been out for the Holiday's???

I had about 1.25 by the time everyone else had arrived and Dennis gave us our work-out. He told us to warm up for 2 miles, Jane, Kelly, Cheryl, Jen and the others hadn't warmed up yet so I ran with them. The intermediate only had to warm up for 1 mile so I think that is what Kelly and Jane ended up with or maybe a little more.
We were going to do the Advanced workout but ended up doing something kind of inbetween advanced and intermediate. We were closer to the intermediate
We did 2 800's, 1- 1200 and 1-1000
Kelly, Jane and I started off on the first 800 together. Considering that I was feeling sluggish on the warm-up I was a little worried about the workout, but next thing you know we are flying around that track. Our first 800 was 4:23 way too fast!! My LT pace is supposed to be 9:45 and we were running at an 8:50 pace!! LOL
The second 800 was 3 seconds slower so still too fast but it felt better than the first one did.
Poor Kelly I think she might have a stomach bug or something because she started feeling sick during the first 800 but she kept going and finished 2 800's and 1 1200 before she finally stopped. She probably should have stopped after the first one!
Cheryl and Jen were running together but then all of a sudden I see Jen on the side of the track stretching with Dennis. Not a good sign! I asked her later and apparently she might be having IT issues :( I really hope not, she has been training/planning on running the LR 1/2 marathon.

On our 1200 I think our pace was around 9:00 I can't remember and I dont' have my garmin. We purposely slowed down, we were feeling those 800's and knew we needed to be smarter on the 1200. By the time we got to our 1,000 we were pooped. I don't know what our pace was for that one, but probably around a 9:30 pace or maybe even faster, we really wanted to be done!!

I have always loved running with Jane and last night was no exception. We helped push each other although I think it was easier for her than me!! She is a very strong runner!

I think I forgot to mention it was FREEZING again last night, another advantage of running at the track is you could bundle up for the beginning and then shed layers as you need to. I had on two layers on the bottom and 3 on top, pretty much I lost my jacket during the warm- up and I also took off my running pants and just ran in my tights. During one of the last laps of our last LTpace workout I threw my gloves down, I was starting to feel nauseous and something had to come off but I didnt' want to take the time to take off one of my shirts. It didn't take long before I regretted losing the gloves, my hands were freezing, but it did help alleviate the nauseous feeling.
After We finished our workout Jane had to leave and I stayed and ran with Cheryl for a little bit, she was working on her last 1,000. She looked really good last night very strong and steady, although the cold was really bothering her.
Brenda and I stretched for a bit while Rock and Cheryl finished their runs. I haven't been stretching enough so I am really glad I did, I am not at all sore this morning. Maybe it will kick in later???
As soon as I got home I took a hot shower... almost my whole body was bright red from the cold and my stomach was numb!!!
Luckily we are going to have a little relief from the cold this weekend. It is supposed to be in the 60's on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. WOO HOO!!! LOL

Lessons I have learned from the last two runs. I just have to have confidence in myself and keep pushing even when I think I want to give up!!!

When I was talking to Cheryl yesterday I told her about how I hadn't had any stomach issues my last few runs. I'm not quite sure what to attribute that to... eating better?... my body adjusting to the cold?... I think it might actually be the nature valley granola bar I have been eating about an hour before I run. Maybe it's just coincidence but I bought them, a few days ago and I had one on New Year's morning before we ran and I had not problems, and just the day before I did experience stomach problems on the run. I also ate one about an hour before I ran on Wednesday.. not problems... and again last night and no problems. So is it just luck or is it the granola bar????? I guess time will tell.

I did get over 5 miles last night so I accomplished my goal of 40 miles for the week :) Today is a rest day and tomorrow is another run with Cheryl and the LR Marathon Training group.

Wednesday Run

Wow what a great run last night. I met Brenda and Rock at Michele's house, honestly most of the day I was dreading the run because it was so damn cold and WINDY!! I bundled up really well, I had on two layers on the bottom and three on top. I also had on an ear band around my head and around my neck plus a light weight fleece scarf. Cheryl and Kim would have been proud!! LOL Well wouldn't you know when I got to Michele's house the wind had died down... THANK GOODNESS!!!
It was still cold 32 when we started and I was thankful for all those layers for about 10 minutes and then I started feeling nauseous and had to start peeling stuff off. Oh I also had on some really thick fleece gloves, now I know better than to wear something so warm on my hands. It is weird my hands are usually the first place to get hot and when my hands are hot I am miserable luckily gloves are an easy thing to take off and these had hooks so I could loop them around my spi belt.

I think we were about 2 miles into the run when my phone rang, we had been expecting Kelly and Robert to join us but neither of them met us. Kelly was calling to tell me she got hung up at work and wouldn't be able to run with us :( Actually when the phone first rang I couldnt' get to it and i called her back, we assumed that she was at Michele's house so we were going to change our route so we could meet her, but that wasn't the case. It is really hard to talk on the phone and run!! Especially when you are running with the fast girls!!
I have to admit there were times during the run when I thought I don't know if I am going to make it.... but I just kept those feelings to myself and concentrated on keeping up with the others.
This was the first time I have actually run with Rock, sure I see her during the beginning of group runs but this was the first time we ran the whole time together. Of course this was a very easy run for her so we let her do most of the talking.
Pretty much soon after we started running I knew I needed the little girls room. We ran by Suzanne's house but it was dark so we didn't stop, it wasn't terrible and I probably could have made it the whole run, but in the new subdivision we found there is a lot of new construction and lo and behold there was a port -a- pottie. Luckily Rock needed to go too.. I let her test it out first!! LOL It really wasnt' that bad, or maybe it was just because it was dark. It was such a relief to be able to get that over with. I guess I didn't realize how much all that pee was weighing me down becaue after that I felt much better.
We normally run 8 miles on Wednesday nights, but we had decided ahead of time to make it 7... I was so glad too!!!
I don't have my splits with me here at work but I know we ran 7.01 miles in 1:09 which on my Garmin avg out to a 9:53 pace. Brenda had 9:45 pace which I think is what our real running pace was. When we stopped to use the port a pottie I didn't stop my Garmin right away.
I was beyond thrilled with with those numbers!!

First run of 2008

Last year Arland, Kim and I made a date to run together on the first day of 2007. This year my first run of the year was with a group of Cabot Cruisers. I missed Arland (injured) & Kim (out of town) but I still had a great run today.
It was very cold this morning which it is winter so that is normal but the wind... sheesh it was howling!!
I started off with Joan, Jane, Bailey, Cheryl and Susan. Michele had also joined us but she was feeling speedy so she took off ahead and ended up running most of the route with Patty. Joan, Jane & I got a little ahead of the other girls, and I slowed down a bit to let them catch up. Bailey and I ended up running together, she can be very speedy but today wasn't about speed for her. We ran together for a bit and then turned around to circle back for Cheryl. Although we went back for Cheryl we didn't stay with her for long. We kept an eye on her though and it looked like she was running with Susan so I wasn't worried about her. At one point though Bailey looked back and didn't see Cheryl, I was worried then and thought maybe she had decided to turn around. Bailey and I eventually caught up with Jane and Joan and pretty much ran the remainder of the run with them. I kept thinking we would turn around and go back for Cheryl and Susan, but it was one hill after another and the thought of running any of them a second time was just too much for me!!
The route we ran was very hilly and with the wind it was at times just daunting!! We did have some nice stretches where the hills blocked the wind and we would be comfortable but they never seemed to last too long.
Just before we got to the last big hill on hwy 321 Michele who wasn't that far ahead of us turned turned back to run with us. That hill has a lot of history for us and it really made me happy that she wanted to run it with me :).
When we got back to the school we had 7.1 miles. I asked Michele if she wanted to walk a bit and head back up 321 to find Cheryl and Susan. At first we were jogging so I started my Garmin but then we had to wait for traffic to cross the street and then ended up in some grass which was hard to run on for some reason, so I gave up and turned off the Garmin. It's silly but I knew it would drag down my total avg pace for the run and I didn't want that. We didn't get very far on 321 when we saw Cheryl running towards us. We could also see in the distance Susan wasn't too far behind her so we all started towards Susan and the four of us jogged it back into the school. By the time we got back everyone was gone. The Razorbacks played in the Cotton Bowl this morning and everyone was anxious to get home and watch the game.
I asked all the girls if they wanted to go to Mountain Mudd, Susan couldn't go but Cheryl and Michele did so we loaded up in the Honda and got our reward for getting up early on New's Day and running in the cold and wind. Mountain Mudd has the best sugar free white chocolate, no one else compares ! Once we got back to the school we sat in the warm car and chatted a bit before everyone had to get home and get on with their day.
It felt great to start off the new year with a great run with great friends!
7.2 miles
10:35 avg.pace
1-10:33
2-9:48
3-10:36
4-10:44
5-10:51
6-10:36
7-10:05

A few 2007 Milestones

2007 is officially over, and what a year it was. Kim, Arland and I joined the Cabot Country Cruisers which opened up a whole new running world for us. I have made so many new friends because of the Cruiser's they not only enriched my running life by also my personal life as well. The Women Can Run Clinic and our Tuesday Night Flyer's with Coach Dennis also had a huge impact on my life!
I also met Susan "from Benton" through the blog world and have been blessed with her friendship!
It was also Susan who first encouraged me to start a blog, I was resistent at first but I obviously gave in. Cheryl and Arland also had a hand in that decision as well.

Here are some totals for the year.

Total miles 1270 and that doesn't include probably anywhere between 20 and 50 miles where I didn't have my Garmin. This year I am going to start logging my mileage at Running-Journal.com.

Total # of races 24
1 Marathon (Chicago)
3 1/2 Marathon's (Little Rock, Tulsa, Memphis)
1 15K
5 10K
1 4 miler
1 2 miler
12 5K

I won 12 Age group awards

My picture was in the paper 4 times. Twice in the small local paper, once in the State wide paper here in Arkansas and once in the Springfield Missouri local paper.
I was quoted in 1 newspaper article.

I volunteered in two 5K races. The Spring Fling and the Magness Creek Fight to get Fit 5K.

I drank a million cups of Starbuck's/Mountain Mudd/Daily Grind coffee. Ok that might be a slight stretch... but not by much!

2007 also was the year that my sister Tracy realized that running isn't so bad after all. My Aunt Tamara also kept running in 2007 and completed several 5K's. My son Brett has started running and I hope 2008 is his year :) I also hope that Livia will find her way back to running.

Cheryl continued running in 2007 and decided to train for a full Marathon. She still doesn't love running, but who knows maybe 2008 will change her mind. After all I can still remember her telling Kim and I that she would NEVER run a marathon and I can't count the times she told us we were CRAZY!! and here she is training for Little Rock!! ;)

I also started Spinning classes in 2007 and although I will cut back on those I am hoping to get out on the bike more in 2008.

Happy New Year everyone I hope 2008 is good to us all!!!