What a Year!

It’s been forever since I’ve made a post here, and I’ve accomplished quite a bit this past year.  Since the end of May I’ve run several 5K’s.  In June it was the Vince Lombardi Cancer run and the Rock n Sole quarter marathon, July was the Brewer’s Sausage Race and the Packer’s 5K in Green Bay.  August was Warrior Dash, which I still have a scar from.  In September I ran my first half marathon, the Brewers Mini Marathon.  Two weeks later in October I ran the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K, a year after my first 5K, and the Monster Run, another quarter marathon.  In November I ran the Jingle Bell Run and my second half marathon, the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas.  I’ve been taking a rest since then, it was quite the year.

Next year I have big plans.  I’m doing the Fight for Air Climb again in March, that’s all I’ve signed up for so far.  I have a handful of races I’d like to start working on.  I’m planning to do the Leprechaun run for St. Patrick’s Day, which I just checked is the day before the climb.  We’ll see how that goes.  The climb was harder than any run I’d ever done before.  I’d also like to do 3 – 4 half marathons.  I’m definitely doing the Brewer’s half again, that was a lot of fun and a good time of year.  I also have my sight set on the Rock N Sole half and the Madison half, which if you do both you get an extra medal.  Last of all I’m starting to look at the Rock N Roll Chicago half marathon.  It’s right in the middle of summer, so the weather plays a huge role, but I really liked that series in Vegas.

I need to start making some changes if I want to continue to succeed or progress in my running.  At the top of my goal list in 2014 is going to be to get in better shape with regards to my weight.  I think I have the activity portion down, but I could benefit from eating healthier.  I know I can do it, it’s just a matter of setting my mind to it.  By improving my health in this way I’ll be able to run farther and faster.  I’m looking forward to a great 2014!

Something’s Better Than Nothing

It really wasn’t that bad.  I managed to get out the door for a run after work.  I’m trying out those Gu packets, I had ordered a sampler pack last week.  Normally by the time I get home from work I’m tired and hungry.  I ate a Pineapple Gu when I got home today, changed into my running gear, and headed out the door. 

It was pretty humid on the trail, which just makes it more difficult to breathe, and it was kind of warm.  I didn’t think I’d last that long, after a long day’s work I didn’t feel as energetic as I have on my morning runs, and I just wasn’t feeling it tonight.  I decided at least I got out, and even if I just did 2 miles it would be better than doing nothing at all.

I managed to get to the top of the hill on my trail, which was about 1.5 miles.  I turned around, stopped for a moment to admire the lake, with the fog settling on it, and started running back.  I didn’t do as well overall as I would have liked, but considering I just did two 5 mile runs over the weekend, I’m not going to be too hard on myself.

I don’t think I’ll be running tomorrow, I have a late day at work, and have to get caught up on some other stuff, but will definitely be getting out the door on Thursday.  Hopefully it’s raining!

Ann’s Hope

This morning I had a 5K for Ann’s Hope at the Milwaukee Zoo.  The run was at 8am, and it was about 60 degrees outside, but pretty humid.  I finished in around 40 minutes, a little worse than two weeks ago in Door County, but I’m still happy with my time.

I really need to start running more during the week.  I’ve been running when I’m able, but I have the quarter marathon coming up in 4 weeks and while I probably could have kept going today, I was a bit tired at the end.  Also, it will be warmer in a month, so I have to get used to running in warmer weather.

My next run is the Vince Lombardi Run/Walk for Cancer.  Last year I walked it, and it was my first walk for anything like that.  My running partner and I agreed last year that this year we would be running it, and sure enough, we will be.  I’m looking forward to it.

It’s finally warm out!!

It’s been a long cold spring, and it felt like it was never going to warm up, but this past weekend it finally hit 70 and I was able to get out and enjoy it!  I’ve been working on getting over this psychological barrier that seems to make me want to stop and walk at certain points.  I’m certainly no marathoner (yet), but I have more endurance than I give myself credit for.  For instance, when I see that I’ve hit the 1 mile mark, my mind tells my body to stop and walk, even though I’m still breathing fine and my legs don’t hurt.  I was proud of myself this weekend though ~ I got to the 1 mile mark, then the 2 mile mark, and then stopped at 3.  I started up shortly thereafter and kept going until 4.3.  I’m planning on getting out again tomorrow as long as it’s not storming.  The Door County 5K is this weekend, so I have to be prepared!!

It’s Been a While

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about a run.  I was supposed to do the Samson Stomp at the Milwaukee Zoo in January, but I was having some things going on, that I just ended up watching, which was fine with me.  It ended up being about 5 degrees out!

Since then I’ve gotten back on track and I ran the Lucky Leprechaun 7K at Hart Park last weekend for St. Patrick’s Day, as well as I did the Fight for Air Climb at the US Bank Building yesterday.  I was pretty sore after the 7K, which is probably since I haven’t really run anything since December, but I was glad I did it – my quads were sore for a couple days, but I got my muscles back into action.  Yesterday the Fight For Air Climb was a lot tougher than I expected.  My legs weren’t sore at all, but it really took a toll on my lungs.  I thought I was going to pass out about halfway up, not sure if it was just overexertion or poor breathing, but I made it all the way to the top.  Today I came down with a cold, so I’m wondering if that had something to do with feeling not quite right yesterday during the climb.

I have another 5K coming up in early May in Door County, and then several other races scattered throughout the summer.  I’m looking forward to it warming up so I can get outside and start training more.

Santa Hustle 5K–Milwaukee

This morning was the Santa Hustle 5K in Milwaukee.  After our rain/snow ordeal this past week, it was icy on parts of the path, but overall not too bad.  When we got there it was about 18 degrees outside.  Thankfully we were able to park under the art museum, which has heated parking.  We hung out in there until shortly before the race.

The race was great, they gave us santa beards, hats, and shirts to dress up in.  There were probably well over a thousand santas running through Veteran’s Park downtown.  The frigid temperatures made it a little more difficult to breathe, I wore a scarf like thing around my mouth to keep the air I was breathing a little bit warmer.

I’m happy to say I finished.  I don’t know what my time was yet, but regardless I made it through, and in those temperatures.  I have another cold run at the end of January at the Milwaukee County Zoo – the Samson Stomp.  I’m expecting it to be even chillier.

Happy running!!

Tackled the Track

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve determined running on the treadmill isn’t for me, yet.  There’s something about it that just kills my calf and shin muscles to the point that I can’t run very long.  I’m sure my form is changed just enough to throw me off that little bit on the treadmill.  Today I made the decision that I’m going to have to toughen up and run on the track.  I don’t like running in front of people, and at my gym the track passes directly in front of a line of ellipticals, bikes, and treadmills.  I started my night out by doing 30 minutes on the recumbent bike to warm up, and then I got on the track.  I walked in circles for about the first 10 minutes before I decided to start running.  Once I got going it was great.  I had to learn to relax and not worry about the other people in the gym who might see me.  Everyone’s there to get healthy, right?  Anyway, I’m glad I overcame another fear and am able to confidently run on the track.  I have to get in shape for all the races I have scheduled in the upcoming year somehow!