13.66

Yup, that's how many miles I ran today. And I felt good most of the way. The last few hills were a bit tough but I plodded through. And my pace was a speedy 11.13. My goal pace was 11.21 so I am quite happy with that. Dale dropped me off in Sechelt and I ran home. My GPS had a few glitches again and after 20 minutes at 10.68 miles, I had no idea how far I had run so I did a slight detour and added a bit of extra mileage. It all worked out and I'm looking forward to my 15 mile run next week :)

Ouch

Ok, my muscles are screaming at me. I did a 4 mile Tempo run on Tuesday and then went to circuit training class where she decided it was a good day to work our leg muscles. But, in spite of the fact that my thigh muscles hurt with every breath I took, I went out Wednesday for a 6 mile Tempo run. Now, Dale would have me explain that a Tempo run is a run at near my marathon race pace. I've sort of upped the ante by basing my training program on a 4 and a half hour marathon. I'm finding it difficult to keep up the Tempo pace for the whole 4 miles (never mind the 6 miles). But, in my defense, we do have a lot of hills in Gibsons. I would find it easier to keep the pace on a flat surface. However, the marathon in Athens has about 13 miles uphill in the middle of the run so I best just get used to hill. Train for your race.

After all that, 2 Tempo runs in a row, today was suppose to be my easy run day of 5 miles. Because it was an EASY day, I decided on a route that had some more hills than my Tempo route. This was fine except that the extra hill was at the beginning of the run and by mile 2.32 (according to the GPS on my phone) I was quite tired and, facing a long slow incline, couldn't seem to keep the pace up. Every 5 minutes my program chimes in with my mileage, time and pace. I was starting to get really discourage after about 45 minutes when I thought I just couldn't finish another mile and a half. I clued in to the fact that the GPS wasn't working properly when I heard for the third time that I had gone 4.19 miles. I finally stopped and did a slow jog home. I checked the computer and rerouted the map to my actual run and turns out that I did 5.95 miles. At TEMPO pace! No wonder it was so hard. That program I have is wonderful - when it works. That also explains why I barely made it through my circuit training class afterwards. This must be getting me in great shape, right?

Wahoo. Tomorrow is a rest day!! I have to do my long run on Saturday because I'm helping out at the drag races most of Sunday. I'm scheduled to do 13 miles - that's half a marathon. I think it will be a tough one but we'll see.

May Long

Well, I finished an 11.67 mile run today. It has been a tough week. I ran 5 times this week. I haven't done that for quite awhile. I don't think my body is all that happy with me. No aches and pains per se but I'm just tired. My calves have been talking to me during runs and they've never done that before. I guess it will get used to it after awhile and I'll just be so fit a 26 miler will seem like a walk in the park. :)

So yesterday we were on Vancouver Island and stayed over night in Chemainus. I went for a run and Dale rode his bike beside (behind) me. We only did 3.5 miles but ended up going through the town quite times. It is a pretty little town and I quite enjoyed the run even though my pace was slower than it should be.

Wednesday I was suppose to do a 6 mile Tempo run. It was pouring rain so I tried to do it on my treadmill. After about 15 minutes I was too tired to keep up the pace. I kept slowing down until I was at 5 miles an hour. I did an hour run and ended up only running just of 5 miles. It was quite disappointing but it might have just been that I worked too hard the day before. We'll see how it goes this week.

I'm proud of Samantha. She's entered a 5K race through work. Its on Father's Day and she is raising funds for Prostate Cancer.

Killer 10 miles

Ok, that was really tough. On more than one occasion I considered calling Dale for a ride. I also considered walking. And that was after only 6 miles. I think I was optimistic in my assessment of my fitness. But I did it. 10 and 1 the whole way. I don't think I could have finished if I didn't have the one minute walk breaks to look forward to.

I've got paddling tomorrow night and then tempo runs on Tues and Wed. I'm hoping those go okay. Next race is the Vancouver Half Marathon on June 27th from UBC to Stanley Park. That should be interesting. I'm hoping to do 2:10:00. We'll see.

The Aftermath

Wow. It doesn't stop when tax season is over. I haven't written in 2 weeks because I've been so busy. Ingrid, Diane and I did the Sun Run. Linda came with us but she got a shopping injury and was unable to run. We all got a PW (Personal Worst). But that's ok because we ran it together. It didn't seem like 90 minutes. We enjoyed each other's company and it was a great Swan Song run for Ingrid. I'm going to miss our Sun Run weekends.

As for my running, I'm trying to get back on schedule. At noon today I'm heading out for a 10 mile run. The tricky part seems to be keeping the right pace. I think I'll have to start getting creative with my running program.

I had a couple of days off work so I went into town to visit. I spent some time with Mom and Dad and had dinner at Garry Point with Janice and Susanne. I even managed to squeeze in lunch with Samantha before going home.

I was finally able to convince Dale to get a new computer. Our house looks like a tornado went through it as we rearranged the computer room. Add to the list of things to do.

Anyway, Monday is a new week and, hopefully, back to the routine that I love so much.

Tax Season is OVER!!!!

Wow - it's finally here. The end of tax season. Had a wonderful time at the end of tax season dinner at Chaster House. I had the duck and chocolate tart. I was so full! But it was delicious. My poem was well received, which is always nice. And it was just such a relief to have it over. Friday was very stressful, trying to get the last GST's done with all the interuptions.

I woke up today feeling really unwell. I had a sinus headache and was so tired but couldn't sleep in for the life of me. I did manage until 9 am, though. I felt hung over but I didn't drink last night. Maybe I ate too much. Anyway, couldn't muster up what I needed to go for a run. I had to catch the 12:20 to go to town for some much needed shopping. I felt lousy all day and was really glad that I was able to catch the 5:30 home. I will run tomorrow with the group. I guess I won't be making my 60 minute 10k but as long as I finish I will be happy. I hope I can get back into my routine really soon.

I can't see the countdown on my lame computer but according to my calculations, its 183 days to Athens.