Regarding my resting HR, the exact same thing happened this morning:( EXACTLY!

Wondering if I should be cautious and take the higher number 53, or register yesterday and today as 51???????? ARGHHHHHH..... when will my 5 year old sleep until the sun wakes up? LOL Actually she usually does, for some reason she's waking the last 3 mornings:( Wonder if her body is gearing up for daylight savings, which is next weekend???? Oh well.....

Run today went really well. Ran for 3. miles and it took about 31:00. But my HR monitor was really putzing, I think it needs a new transmitter/battery?? We'll see. But the run felt great. Now to get out tomorrow and do it again! Just learned snow is forcasted for tonite thru the nite:( Well, hopefully it won't interfere with my run tomorrow!

Run today went well. Ran 3 miles for the first time and it felt GREAT!!

Mile 1 = 10:23 AVG 137 MAX 155

Mile 2 = 10:15 AVG 141 MAX 148

Mile 3 = 10:26 AVG 144 MAX 149

Strange behavior from my cool gadgets. The polar is acting up, I think it's time to change the batteries, but it worked today for the run thank GOD, because the Nano/Nike+ putzed at about 2.3, it kept shutting off, after the run I realized the battery was low. I listened to phedipidations on the nano last night, bad move. Note to self: Always charge the nano after a run, and listen to podcasts on the ipod video to preserver the battery of the nano specifically for runs!!

New it was too good to be true! Well, Allie woke me at 4:30 a.m. so I got out of bed and in bed with her. Never could fall back to sleep. I was wearing my HRM so at about 5:20 I tried to take it. Pitch black and I couldn't get the light on the watch to stay lit. So, I activated the workout and laid there for 20min, and I would occassionally hit the light so I could see the numbers, and I thought I remember seeing it as low as 51, but when I stopped the HRM, my stats that got stored showed Avg 58 and Max 83, I was getting frustrated that I couldn't get the light to work:(

I know I saw it go as low as 53, but I swear it hit 51 too, but it didn't registered as a low on my HRM:( so I'm going with 53. HRM just gave me the AVG and the MAX:(

Hopefully tomorrow she won't wake me and if I see 51, I'll change today to reflect 51.

But for now, todays resting HR = 53

Ok, two for two. Got up with about 10min to spare before my 5 year old came pouncing in. LOL Strapped on the HRM, and relaxed for about 10min. Lowest I saw was 53.

So, Resting HR for today = 53

Temp right now is 34 degrees. Plan is to drop kids at school and get right out there and do my run!!

Well, stuck to the plan and got right out there today:)

took till about a mile and a half for my hands to stop freezing, and I was wearing gloves. I didn't think it was that cold, but there was no sun, just gray and cloudy:(

Duration = 2.7

Time = 28 minutes

Pace = 10:19

calories = 150

Did what Allen suggested, drove the car up the hill. My HRM didn't go crazy this time at that point, but did spike for about 2 seconds on my run at the other hill to 169. It went right down and I didn't have to walk:( Just slowed my pace.

Splits were as follows:

mile 1 = 10:36 AVG HR 130 Max HR 169 (darn hill)

mile 2 = 10:38 AVG HR 137 AVG MAX 144

.7 = 6:46 AVG HR 138 AVG MAX 144

Stayed under my 140/70% HR for 23:16

Went above my 140/70% HR for only 4:45 (but most of that was at 141 or 142)

Overall, felt good.

Fianally took my resting heart rate. I actually woke up before my kids came pouncing in:)

Kept the monitor on for about 10 minutes and the lowest I saw it was 53.

I found my old RHR info from back in 2005.

7/22 - fri - 52

7/23 - sat 49

7/24 - sun 54

7/25 - mon 51

7/26 - tues 51

I think what I did was, I added all these up and divided by the number of days to come up with my resting HR. 257 divided by 5 days = 51.4 and rounded up and used 52

Will try to take it again tomorrow. No run today, but will get on the elliptical.

Ok, after taking 3 days off, it felt great to be out on the road again. Just a gorgeous day. 40 degrees.

Run felt great. I ran for 2.6, for 28 min. 10:26 pace 143 calories

Stayed under my 70% HR for 26:44

Went above my 70% HR for only 1:16

Yeah, felt good, and was very good about staying under 70%:)

For some reason at the beginning of my run, at the same exact spot as last time, my HRM spiked up to 172. No way was I running fast enough for it to spike, so I don't know if there is an electrical wire (I don't see one), a microwave, or a motorcycle or car engine????? Really pisses me off, but it seems to happen every run at that spot. Unfortuneately, I can't change my route just yet:( Soon though!!

So, here are my splits:

1st mile - 10:55 AVG HR 124 Max HR 172

2nd mile - 10:16 AVG HR 136 Max HR 143

.6 - 6:48 AVG HR 134 Max HR 144

Overall, felt really good. I really felt like I could have gone further, but don't want to push it. But staying at 70% is definitely very comfortable now. Which means, my numbers are probably not quite right. I will work on getting my resting HR in the mornings this week, and then getting my max HR at the 4M race on March 9th. Then my numbers should be a little more accurate.

But, eventhough they may not be quite right, I think they are on the low side, so it's still benefiting my workouts.

Well, today should have been race day. Wow, we definitely made the right decision not to go in. Outside is a huge sheet of ice. Looks like a big skating rink. Hope everyone is staying home today where it is safe.

If this ice melts, I will try to get outside for a training run, but so far no sign of any sun and the weather is 26 degrees, and they are still forecasting mix of rain and snow all morning:(

Didn't really melt. Decided to just take day off and enjoy allie's bday celebration!

Next race two weeks from today.

update: right from the NYRR website:

Note: Due to unsafe road conditions resulting from inclement weather, the NYRR Al Gordon Snowflake 4-Mile has been designated a fun run. Men and women will start together at 9:30 a.m.; there will not be a separate men's start at 8:00 a.m. The race will not be scored and will not be a points race for NYRR team competition. Registered entrants will receive credit for one of the nine races that are part of the eligibility requirements for guaranteed entry to the ING New York City Marathon 2009. Registration is open at NYRR at 9 East 89th Street until 7:00 p.m. Friday and 7:30-9:15 a.m. Saturday.

Well, seeing as it is still snowing, and is expected to snow thru the nite, we are taking the free bee:) and giving myself a little more time to train before the next race on March 9th. Knowing me, I'll probably run an additional race to make up for this 'free bee'. LOL Also, my achiness has greatly subsided, so two more weeks of training before my 'official' first race sounds good to me:)

A little disappointing, but I think I'd rather play it safe and be home, and enjoy my daughters 5th birthday party celebration. My luck I'd go in for the fun run and slip and fall on ice:(

So, one race down, 8 (9) more to go!!!

Woke up to snow!!!

26°F Feels Like:20°F

Humidity: 85%

Wind: ESE at 5 mph

Time will tell if there will be a race for tomorrow???:(

Great day out there today. Didn't think I would get out, but Dad rescued me and watched the kids so I could get my run in. Thanks Dad/Grampy!!

Felt good out there. Sunny, but 26 degrees. Seems snowy weather is coming. Figures, 2 more days until my race:( Time will tell what the weather will be like for Saturday at 9:30a.m., but I'll be there!!

Splits today were good:

Mile 1 - 11:03 Avg HR 138 Max HR 143 (There was a hill, but I didn't have to walk this time:)

Mile 2- 10:51 Avg HR 136 Max HR 143
last .2 - 2:11 Avg HR 135 Max HR 138

All in all very pleased with how the training is going so far:)

Blue skies and sunny today. Just gorgeous. Temp was 32 degrees. I dressed the right way this time!!! YAY Decided to use my gadgets differently today. The Nike+ will track my whole workout, 5min walk warm up, the running times; today was 30 minutes, and then the 5 min cool down walk. I'm going to use the Polar x625x to track just the time that I run, and also break it down by splits.

Another change, although, not really a change. I'm just sticking to it. I am staying on or below 70%. Still not exactly sure what that is (I've been using 140), but I'm not doing a good job of getting up and taking my resting heart rate right away, as sometimes the kids wake me in the middle of the night, so I don't sleep well, and then they are usually the ones to wake me in the a.m. and want me to get out of bed asap. LOL So, I am hoping that I'll be able to record my resting HR for 5 days straight next week. And I am hoping I'll be able to record my Max HR during my 4M race on Saturday in Central Park. I plan to sprint at the end to the finish line, that should spike the HR. So, I should at least know my true Max by Saturday. Still can't believe the race is only 3 days away. Yikes:)

So, todays run went great. Ran for 30 minutes straight, for a total of 2.6 miles (152 cals burned). Splits are as follows:

Mile 1 - 11:48 Avg HR 133, Max HR 162 (there was a hill, and my HR spiked twice. I immediately walked both times. First time it spiked to 152, then 162. Both times only took about 5 seconds to get it under 70%:)

Mile 3- 11:20 Avg HR 131, Max HR 140

.6 miles - 6:58 Avg HR 129 Max 135

Overall, very happy with the results.

Was a great day today, though I still feel stiff in the left achilles and thigh. Weather was a bit balmy (56 degrees). It poured all morning, but I timed my run perfectly. No rain at all. Was warm to run, but felt good. Made it through the 25 minutes of running without stopping. C25K, W7D2.

I have totally re-evaluated how I need to do my training. I've emailed Allen, and hopefully I can correspond with him and try to figure out how to apply his program to mine. I realize I have races coming up that I may not be ready for, so I'll have to walk when I need to, but I have to figure out how to increast my mileage, while doing these races, and stay injury free. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY EGO/COMPETITIVENESS AT THE DOOR!!!!!!!!

I really messed up. I should have started back in September, with no races, and 4 months of just base building, starting with just walking and working my way up to C25K, and so on.

I'm am not giving up, I'm just stating the facts. I'm a little behind the eight ball. But I will get there!!!!!!!!!! First priority is injury free!!!!! Second is slowly building up the mileage.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Took today off, need to slow down. I've been tight the last few days. Need to put my ego aside and focus what is at hand. I love the Tinkoff Challenge, but I can't let my ego get in the way. Have to stick to my goal and focus. Slow and steady!!! Build base while staying injury free and completing these 9 races!!!!!!!!!

C25K, W7D1 32 degrees today, but beautiful out. Dressed a little too warm, got hot while running. Next time need to be more aware of what to wear!!

Went out a little too fast today, did the first mile in a 9:00min pace. Got a stitch and could never get rid of it. Not sure if it was the chinese food or the glass of wine I had at dinner last nite. Both of which I should abstain from!! Lowered the pace to about 10min, and finished the 25 minutes, but still had a stitch, not as bad as in the beginning, but it was lingering:(

But with the 5 minute warm (walk) up, 25 minute run and then the 5 minute cool down (walk), I was pleased I came in at 3.43 (Polar told me 3.5), but either way, I was in at about an 11:26 pace over all. A few more weeks, most of my program will be running, so I should see a better pace. But I'm not complaining, I'm WAY ahead in my training, then when I trained in 2005. Wonder if it's because in 2005 I started on the dreaded treadmil, and this time I got myself outside in the cold, snow, etc...????

But, I'm well on my way to getting to the point where I can really start training for my races and accomplishing my goal of 9 NYRR races this year!!

Well, finished C25K, Week 6 today!! I ran 25 minutes consecutively, and it felt awesome!!! No stitches, nothing and my breathing was great. Legs felt great!! I'm on my way...

Polar HR monitor told me:
Start time: 9:31a.m.
Distance: 4.5

Time: 58:43
Pace: 12:58

Avg HR: 123

Max HR: 152

Calories: 277

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!

I knew I shouldn't have taken yesterday off, even with the pouring rain. You take a day off, and life starts to get in the way:(

Wasn't able to run today as life got in the way:(

It is pouring rain today, and since I haven't 'officially' taken a day off since February 1st, I'm taking today off!!! Usually I would walk, but it is torrential and the flooding is horrendous. Living in the hills of Centerport is great for when I do my runs/walks (gets you in shape), but is not conducive to running/walking when the roads have tidal waves:(!!

Be back tomorrow with hopefully drier weather, or much lighter rain!!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Another rest day, so I walked a short walk as I had things to get to. Walk felt good.

Polar HR monitor told me:

Start time: 9:46a.m.

Distance: 3.6
Time: 52:17

Pace: 14:32
Avg HR: 118
Max HR: 145
Calories: 225

Monday, February 11, 2008

Did the C25K, W6D2 and it felt great. Running the 10min is very easy for me now:) But since it was 18 degrees outside I only did the program, no extra walking; brrrrrrr.....:)

Polar HR monitor told me:
Start time: 2:10p.m.
Distance: 3.0

Time: 36:25
Pace: 11:51

Avg HR: 120

Max HR: 170

Calories: 208

Well, I didn't get out for my walk until 3:30ish, as I was watching my beloved New York Rangers. They played a heartfelt game, but lost in OT to Washington:( The game started at 1pm, and it was blue skies and sunny, and 52 degrees. By the time the game ended, it had gotten very windy and gray out, and the temp dropped to 40 degrees. During my walk, it was chilly, but I had no clue that it was going to snow. Started as little flurries, and then just started blizzarding. About halfway through, the sun came out again, and it just looked gorgeous with all the snow covering the trees. But, it wasn't over yet. got gray and windy again, and started blizzarding again! But I kept on walking!!! It was awesome!! By the time I returned home, the temperature had dropped to 31 degrees. Yikes!!

Polar HR monitor told me:

Start time: 3:37p.m.

Distance: 6.8
Time: 1:37:27

Pace: 14:19
Avg HR: 116
Max HR: 219 (this CAN'T be right, as I walked the whole distance!!)

Calories: 412

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Well, I got my post in on Nike+ & Bukeyeoutdoors, but never made it in here.

Run was good, weather was chilly but still felt good!

I did the C25K, W5D3, which was 5 minute warm up, 20 minute jog and then a 5 minute cool down. It was amazing. I felt soooo strong. Felt like I could keep jogging, but I stuck to the plan! At the end of the program, I walked another 3 miles, listening to Another Runner and Nik and Dan!!

Polar HR monitor told me:
Start time: 1:35p.m.
Distance: 6.5

Time: 1:24:59
Pace: 13:09

Avg HR: 122

Max HR: 160
Calories: 396

C25K, W5D2... Felt really good out there today. Weather was sunny blue skies and around 40 degrees. I wore a shirt and a wind jacket and just wind pants. Was a little chilly but after the 5 minute warmup walk, felt fine.

Was able to run the 8 minute intervals with no troubles. Even kept the pace between 8:20 and 9:20, not bad. Finished the program (still listening to Robert Ullery's c25K program), then continued to walk listening to Another Runner's podcast. Man I'm addicted, couldn't wait for him to post another show. I checked itunes just before I went out, and was sooo excited it was there. Downloaded it and off I went. It was great, and he even mentioned me. Now that was amazing. I can not tell you how pumped I got, enough to walk another 2 miles. LOL I really hope he makes it up to the Cow Harbor in September.

Well, as his podcast ended, I started home listening to Nik and Dan (can't wait for their next podcast too. LOL), but when I got to the top of my hill, my Nano went dead. I looked at the screen and sure enough, it was telling me charge battery. I was soooo afraid it didn't record my run, but it did. YEAH!! Thankfully I had the Polar X625x as a backup for mileage, so I really did 5.9, but the Nike+ only registered 5.37. Bummer for the challenge, but I'm still excited I'm getting out there everyday.

Last I looked I was 15th, but again, that only last until the others run again. I'm not in their league, but I'm doing pretty damn good considering 39 days ago I was sitting on the couch!!

Till tomorrow.....

Wow, Nike+ is really keeping me out on the road. Gotta LOVE it!! Great walk today, felt awesome!!!

Polar HR monitor told me:

Start time: 10:00a.m.

Distance: 5.14
Time: 1:17:56

Pace: 14:46
Avg HR: 116
Max HR: 148

Calories: 378

Great run today, C25K, W5, D2. Felt good. At last jog, felt a slight stitch, but not bad and went away quick.

Polar HR monitor told me:
Start time: 11:07a.m.
Distance: 3.3

Time: 38:28
Pace: 11:42

Avg HR: 134

Max HR: 164
Calories: 257

Well, I was supposed to rest today, but couldn't. Guess I'm addicted. So what I did was walk. It was great. Set the Nike+ to listen to 4 feet running, and I walked out of my door, and returned just as the podcast ended. NICE!! Nik and Dan are cool. Definitely my favorite podcasts are Another Runner and 4 Feet running. I also listen to the Extra Mile and Gravity @ 1053. Once I'm up to running 3 miles straight, podcasts will be what I listen too.

Weather today was nice. Gray outside, but warm at 50 degrees. I had no clue that it was going to rain. About at the half way mark it started to drizzle. But about 3/4 in it started pouring out of nowhere. I would have completed my whole walk, but the lightning and thunder were getting out of control and I cut it short. Still did the 5K+, but not the whole walk I planned out. By the time I got home I was completely and thoroughly soaked. LOL

Well, since Another Runner helped me get my buckeyoutdoors workout on my blog, I'm not going to write down my Nike+ stats anymore. It's already there. I'll just record my Polar HR Monitor stats. Which told me the following:

Start time: 10:07a.m.
Distance: 3.4

Time: 49:28
Pace: 14.32

Avg HR: 122

Max HR: 153
Calories: 266

Week 5, Day 1

K, I did it. Ran again today to make it 3 days in a row and I still feel good. Tomorrow will be a day off unless I wake up stoked to run again. LOL The Nike+ system is definitely a HUGE motivator and VERY addicting. LOL

This mornings run was fun. Ran in the snow for the first time. LOL Was cold by not that bad. 30 degrees out today. I liked it. I am really enjoying running outside. When I trained back in the summer of 2005, I started all my training on the treadmill. God, I didn't realize then what I was missing. No treadmill for me this time around. It's outside all the way!!

Nike+ told me:

Start time: 11:06 a.m.

Distance: 2.73 miles

Time: 32:04

Pace: 11:43

Calories: 259

Polar HR monitor told me:

Start time: 11:07a.m.

Distance: 2.8
Time: 31:46

Pace: 11:17
Avg HR: 135
Max HR: 163

Calories: 207

Great run today, 31 degrees out but didn't take long to feel warm. I definitely dressed better today. I didn't overheat!!!:) I am LOVING the NIKE+

I hit a button by accident and rewound my C25K W4 playlist, so I compensated and ran 8min straight for the first time, to make up. YEAH BABY, felt GREAT and I hit 3.06 today for the first time. And it was sweet to hear at the end of my workout, you did a great job, by Joan Bonoit (sp??). Very cool!!!

So, today Nike+ stats went as follows:

Start time: 9:59a.m.

Distance: 3.06 miles

Time: 35:24

Pace: 11:32

Calories: 290

Polar HR stats:

Start time: 9:59a.m.

Distance: 3.1

Time: 35:25

Avg HR: 134

Max HR: 159

All in all I'm stoked. Training is coming along nicely. I'll be ready for the first NYRR race on Feb. 23rd: Snowflake 4M in Central Park.

Week 4, Day 1 41 Degrees today

Used the Nike+ this morning for the jog/walk and let me tell you it was awesome. Didn't have to fuss about anything. Just turned it on and went. I also wore the Polar HR monitor as always and the two devices tracked virtually the same distance. Pretty accurate. Guess it works cause I'm small.

Nike+ told me:

Started run at: 9:45a.m.

Total time: 30:07

Distance: 2.58

Pace: 11:38 (which will improve as I do more jogging and less walking)

Once I figure out how to get this link into my webpage, you'll actually be able to click on it and see the results:)

Polar S625X told me:

Start time: 9:45a.m.

Total time: 30:03

Avg HR: 138

Max HR: 180

calories: 205

pace: 11:17

Distance: 2.6

Sold my ipod MINI Yesterday

Well, I did it. I sold my ipod mini for $125 bucks to a friend. Not a bad price and she's an owner of a mint condition ipod mini. Why did I do this? Cause I was given $75 credit to Costco and didn't know what to use it on. Only thing that caught my eye in the store was the new ipod nano because of the Nike+ feature, but I couldn't justify shelling out $200 bucks. But then I thought, I never use my ipod mini anymore and it's worth something, and sure enough when I was speaking with my running buddies, one of them was saying how hers broke, and she's been looking for a new one for months, but they don't make/sell them anymore. I was so pysched. I thought $125 was a good deal, she agreed. I came home, grabbed the stuff and went right to her house. Done deal. Win win situation:)!

So I got the new ipod Nano no cash down, and I used my apple gift card to get the Nike+ system. VERY COOL. Unfortuneately LI had tourential pouring rain yesterday so I didn't get to use it really until this morning. I tried, but after going about a 1/2 mile turned around and came home completely and thoroughly drenched. LOL But I got out there this morning and it was awesome, and very accurate. I love to track my runs and to have it set to my music is great!!! And having the voice commands telling me my progress and congratulations at the end was icing on the cake.

Came home from the run and uploaded it to my nikeplus account and wam, it's all there in black and white. LOVE it. Now, if I could only figure out how to post that link to my webpage it was be great. I figured out how to post the Tinkoff 200 challenge, but still my run isn't showing up:( Hope it just takes some time and that I'm not doing something wrong.