HAD MY YEARLY CHECKUP TODAY, SO NO RUN:(

Well, today I went in for my yearly checkup. They took blood, urine sample, did the lung capacity thingy, EKG, all seems good. Blood work will come back next week. I don't forsee a problem. The doctor was asking me how my running was going, I said great. That I'm actually training for the NYC Marathon next year. She said, oh, that's wonderful. I want to schedule you for a Stress Echo. I nearly passed out. I've been asking my doctors over the last 15 years to do this test. LOL I said is it covered by insurance, she said yes. I couldn't contain my excitement. I gave a huge woo hoo!! The doctor actually laughed at me. Apparently, patients usually don't want to do it. I am SOO excited. I'm actually doing the happy dance:) I get to run on the treadmill hooked up to the machines. Hopefully, I'll finally know my HR MAX. LOL maybe even my V02 Max.

When the appointment ended, I was STARVING. I hit my local diner, and ordered eggs benedict with french fries, and there was nothing left on the plate. Normally I don't eat bread or friench fries, but hey, I deserved it. And it was one of the best meals I've ever had. I think it was Erin who said she can wake up in the morning and not eat for hours, but if you have to fast for the doctors, it's torture. You are SOOO right. Normally I wake up at around 7am, and I won't eat until 11ish, after my run. Well, I had nothing to eat after 9:30 last night, woke this morning, and my appt was at 9:45, by 10am they had drawn the blood, and I was starving. But, like I said, worth it, and I expect good blood results in a week.

Since I had the doctor's appointment and had to fast, no run today. I don't want to experience what hubby felt a few weeks ago when he tried running after his fast at the doctors office. So, two rest days in a row for me. Will be back on track tomorrow.

TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH MY 'FRIENDS'

Well, my husband worked late with clients today/tonight, I got the kids to bed, so I'm going to 'try' to catch up with my blog buddies. I have missed you and can't wait to read your blogs and see how you all are doing:)

TEMPO RUN ON THE TM

Well, my 5 1/2 year old finally cooperated and came to the gym today, so I could run on the TM. Couldn't find a babysitter, and my Dad was busy. Kudos Allie for sticking it out. I think the ice cream I got her at the end of my run, didn't hurt either:) For some reason my kids have always HATED the daycare at my gym. Not sure why. There are never that many kids in it. But each time in the past when I have tried, you could hear my kids screams all the way to California. I usually listened for about 10min, trying to deal with the patrons stares of disbelief, then caved and left with no workout:( BUT NOT TODAY BABY, she played and colored for just under an hour, while I had a fantastic run on the TM. Granted she jumped up darting for the door when I finished, but she didn't complain, and when I asked if she'd come here again, she said 'yes, Mommy'. COOOOOOOL!!!!

Well, I decided since my last two runs were easy, and I'm supposed to be following my half marathon schedule, (not exactly yet, but I am getting the runs and mileage in, not necessarily by the book, but for now, I'm happy). And I didn't know if Allie would stay in the daycare, so I was 'kind of' pressed for time, I decided to do a tempo run on the TM. I warmed up at 5.5 for .25 miles, then set the speed at 6.0 and ran for 2.75 miles, then upped the speed to 6.2 and ran for 1.5 miles, then the last .5 mile I upped the speed to 6.4 It really felt great. And again, the HR didn't really go that high. Stayed between 122 - 142. And my TM speeds were a lot faster this time. YAY!!!

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 49.15
Avg pace: 9:51
Calories: 458

Avg HR: 122bpm Cardiac Drift: 142 (I think my Max is 185)
Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 10:15 122bpm Cardiac Drift: 137

Mile 2: 9:57 130bpm Cardiac Drift: 136
Mile 3: 9:58 132bpm Cardiac Drift: 139
Mile 4: 9:39 135bpm Cardiac Drift: 140

Mile 5: 9:30 137bpm Cardiac Drift: 142

SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 2008

Back inside on the TM today. I must be insane because I am really enjoying my runs on the TM. I got to the gym and it was empty:) Hopped on my favorite TM, fired up my ipod video, and off I went for 5 miles. It really felt good, and again, nice and slow, and no pain at all in the legs:)

Distance: 5 miles

Duration: 60:00

Avg pace: 12:00

Calories: 475
Avg HR: 121bpm Cardiac Drift: 136 (I think my Max is 185)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 12:00 112bpm Cardiac Drift: 119
Mile 2: 12:00 116bpm Cardiac Drift: 123

Mile 3: 12:00 119bpm Cardiac Drift: 125

Mile 4: 12:00 124bpm Cardiac Drift: 133
Mile 5: 12:00 131bpm Cardiac Drift: 136

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2008

Had a great run outside today. Weather was perfect. Kind of did my easy run, but ran some of the hills. Still very please that my HR is staying low. When I started running almost 5 months ago, this same route, would have spiked my HR up to the high 170's, but not anymore. I was able to run a very comfortable run, with the hills, and come out with an average pace of 10 minute miles, and still keep my HR low:)

Distance: 5 miles

Duration: 50:00

Avg pace: 10:00

Calories: 458
Avg HR: 142bpm Cardiac Drift: 154 (I think my Max is 185)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:00 140bpm Cardiac Drift: 148
Mile 2: 10:00 142bpm Cardiac Drift: 152

Mile 3: 10:00 144bpm Cardiac Drift: 146

Mile 4: 10:00 146bpm Cardiac Drift: 154
Mile 5: 10:00 142bpm Cardiac Drift: 146

5 VERY SLOW ON THE TM

Well, eventhough it was a gorgeous day outside today, I chose to go inside to the TM while my little one was in pre-school. I wanted to make sure this run was a slow/easy run, and I knew the TM wouldn't let me down. I set the TM to 0% incline, and 5.0 speed and off I went for an hour for 5 miles. It felt great. No pain from yesterday and no pain today:)

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 60:00
Avg pace: 12:00
Calories: 475

Avg HR: 124bpm Cardiac Drift: 130 (I think my Max is 185)
Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 12:00 119bpm Cardiac Drift: 127

Mile 2: 12:00 125bpm Cardiac Drift: 130
Mile 3: 12:00 124bpm Cardiac Drift: 128
Mile 4: 12:00 126bpm Cardiac Drift: 130

Mile 5: 12:00 126bpm Cardiac Drift: 130

AN AMAZING TREADMILL RUN TODAY:)!!!

Now that school is winding down (my youngest's morning pre-school is over:( and her PM pre-schools graduation is on Friday), it is harder for me to get my runs in, not to mention try to keep in touch with my blog buddies. I am SO sorry I haven't visited, but my time has drastically been cut short. I can't believe how I rely on my girls being in school or camp. LOL My older one is finished June 27th. I do have them in camp starting July 7th, so from now until then, my computer time, and training time will be limited. Well, not really the training time, I just have to get coverage, or wake up before my husband goes to work. I promise I will visit all of you soon, and thank you all for the encouraging comments. I do read them and they give me such inspiration:)

But, to today's post. Thanks Grampy for babysitting Allie so I could run on the TM at the gym:) It was an amazing run. I decided to up the incline to 2%, and ran the first 4 miles at a speed of 5.6, then for the 5th mile I upped the speed to 6.0 (fastest I've ever run on a TM and it felt GREAT!!!!) and the best part is I couldn't get my HR to go over 145, my average heart rate was 131!!!!! Wow, my training is really starting to show. According to the Effort-based treadmill chart that I found here it says that at 2% incline at 5.6 speed, the effort is like a 10min pace. and 6.0 speed is like a 9:24 pace. And I felt like I could have gone longer and faster, but my time was limited, cause I told my dad I'd only be gone an hour, and my run lasted 53:48, and I still had to drive home. LOL I'm definitely going to run on the TM once a week, and next time up the speed even more!

Distance: 5 miles

Duration: 53:48

Avg pace: 10:45

Calories: 475
Avg HR: 131bpm Cardiac Drift: 145 (I think my Max is 185, as I saw that # in my race on Sunday)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:45 123bpm Cardiac Drift: 130 2% incline & TM speed was @ 5.6

Mile 2: 10:45 129bpm Cardiac Drift: 134 2% incline & TM speed was @ 5.6

Mile 3: 10:45 132bpm Cardiac Drift: 136 2% incline & TM speed was @ 5.6

Mile 4: 10:45 132bpm Cardiac Drift: 137 2% incline & TM speed was @ 5.6
Mile 5: 10:45 140bpm Cardiac Drift: 145 2% incline & TM speed was @ 6.0

5MILE FATHER'S DAY RACE

I was tired when the alarm went off at 4:45am, but I didn't hit snooze:) Got right up and did my standard pre race ritual. Then met my brother at 6am, and we drove into NYC. We got down to the race and collected our bibs around 7am. A good hour and a half prior to race time. Gave us plenty of time to stretch and get ready for the race. Aside from it being very humid and hot, everything was great. We got ready and got to our corral about 8:15. Our corral color was yellow. At 8:30 the gun went off and it took about 2 minutes to get to the start. Since WABC sponsored the race, they were actually there filming it for ABC. We thought that was cool, but I didn't realize where the camera was, so after we crossed the start, my brother said I just waved to the camera. I missed it. LOL But sure enough (my hubby was home watching/recording and he saw my brother wave and me run by. He said I looked so serious. LOL)

The race went pretty well, but it was hot. My legs felt great, but the humidity was affecting my run. I hoped to finish in 44:00, and actually surprised myself when I crossed the finish line at 43:47:) This time I saw the camera and gave the I Love You sign, and my husband found it on WABConline, pretty cool, only if I could figure out how to upload it to this blog. LOL

WABC Fight/Prostate Cancer, Father's Day Race

Distance: 5 Miles
Date/Time: June 15, 2008, 8:30 am
Location: Central Park, NYC
Weather: 70 deg., 93% humidity, wind 5 mph.
The official stats from the website: http://web2.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/635.1.532341380000013338

Bib # 4135
Gender/age: F43

Finish Time: 43:47

Pace Time: 8:45

Overall Place: 2,332 (out of 5,504 people)

Gender Place: 417 (out of 2,047)

Age Place: 35th (out of 204 women ages 40-44)

AG Time: 41:19
AG Gender place: 352

Age-Graded%: 58.5%

Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 8:58 151bpm Cardiac Drift: 172
Mile 2: 8:20 160bpm Cardiac Drift: 167
Mile 3: 8:37 164bpm Cardiac Drift: 168
Mile 4: 8:30 166bpm Cardiac Drift: 185

Mile 5: 8:38 16649bpm Cardiac Drift: 178

FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008

Great run out there today. An easy 3 miles and then Saturday off in preparation for the 5M Father's Day race on Sunday. This time I also ran it back up the hill to my house, at a slower pace of course, and the HR never went above 147. YEAH!!!!

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 31:54
Avg pace: 10:39
Calories: 272

Avg HR: 130bpm Cardiac Drift: 147 (Not sure what my Max is????)
Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 10:19 128bpm Cardiac Drift: 146
Mile 2: 10:39 140bpm Cardiac Drift: 145
Mile 3: 10:50 139bpm Cardiac Drift: 147

6.5 OUT ON THE ROAD TODAY

So, today was supposed to be my an off day, doing my first spinning class, but since I have a race on Sunday, I didn't want to do anything new, for fear I might be sore afterwards. I know, I'm a cautious chicken. LOL So, I decided to hit the road now that the heatwave finally broke. Todays weather was just beautiful. The storms came in last night and broke the heat:) It was warm out, but no humidity, and todays run was done in about 75 degrees. Just delightful. My next race is this Sunday, so I wanted to continue to incorporate the hills. So I basically ran the route I did Sunday, but then added a half mile more of hills. It felt really good!!!

Distance: 6.5 miles

Duration: 1:04:54

Avg pace: 9:59

Calories: 600
Avg HR: 142bpm Cardiac Drift: 165 (Not sure what my Max is????)

Actually considering I did a lot of hills today, my HR did really well. But I'm sure it didn't hurt that the humidity was gone:)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:26 128bpm Cardiac Drift: 150

Mile 2: 10:25 140bpm Cardiac Drift: 150

Mile 3: 10:05 139bpm Cardiac Drift: 159

Mile 4: 9:41 149bpm Cardiac Drift: 165
Mile 5: 11:03 149bpm Cardiac Drift: 158
Mile 6: 9:16 144bpm Cardiac Drift: 160

.5: 6:22 146bpm Cardiac Drift: 156

4 MILES ON THE TM!!

Well, the heat finally forced me inside on the treadmill. But I had a great run. Started out at 5.3 for the 1st mile, upped it to 5.5 for the 2nd mile, then 5.7 for the 3rd mile and finally 5.9 for the 4th mile. I have NEVER run that fast on a treadmill and it felt GREAT!! I would have kept going, but had to do something and ran out of time:( Oh yeah, I also kept the TM at a 1% incline. Oh, and after every mile I slowed the TM to about 3.3, so I could drink my water without gagging:) Probably took about 15 seconds or so. Funny thing was, it was HOT in the gym, but no humidity, so much better than being outside today. I believe we are to get some rain storms, which we are hoping will break this heatwave!!!

My avg pace was 10:16 by the TM, but since I was running at a 1% incline, how does that translate to what effort I actually did?

Duration: 41:05

Avg pace: 10:16

Calories: 378

Avg HR: 147 Cardiac Drift: 155 (not sure what the MAX is??)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:57 Avg HR: 140 Cardiac Drift: 149

Mile 2: 10:57 Avg HR: 146 Cardiac Drift: 149

Mile 3: 10:34 Avg HR: 149 Cardiac Drift: 153

Mile 4: 10:17 Avg HR: 152 Cardiac Drift: 155

NEW REVISED PLAN!

Here is the NEW revised plan for my half marathon training based on everyone's GREAT comments. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!! And thankyou Charlie for making the jpeg again:) I realize this is a plan, and I have to be flexible. To take it one day at a time, but now I know I HAVE A PLAN:)

3 MILES TODAY

Well, today's run was supposed to be 6, but because of the heat I only got in 3 miles, at about an 11 minute pace. I couldn't get out early, as we had a special day in my older daughters class. If this heat keeps up, I'm going to have to get up and out the door before the family wakes, or do it at night after the sun goes down. Or, do my runs on the treadmill. I think for tomorrows run I'll be inside the gym on the TM.

HALF MARATHON TRAINING STARTS TODAY:)!!

Thanks Charlie for the help making my schedule a .jpeg, so that I could upload it!!

This is the plan everyone, please feel free to critique/make suggestions, as this is my first half marathon:)

6 MILES IN THE HEAT FOR ME TODAY

Wow, can you say HOT, but I'm not going to complain because my friend d10 down in North Carolina is living in serious heat, and we just had a brief (I hope) heatwave. My daughter woke again with fever, and this time the doctors visit revealed a full blown ear infection, so, she's on antibiotics, and feeling much better, but because of the doctors visit and getting to the drugstore for the meds, I didn't get out the door until 12:25, and the thermometer outside was reading 94 in the sun and 88 in the shade. I planned to run 8, but managed to get 6 good miles in, and I was even thrilled with the pace. I wore my fuel belt, with the 4 bottles filled with water (but frozen), and off I went. For some reason, AGAIN, my nike+ crapped out and didn't record the run:( boo hoo:( But I still got to listen to my podcasts and really ended up enjoying this run. By the end of the run I was completely drenched in sweat and my frozen bottles were liquid and empty:) I drank them all. I never do that. But I'm guessing my body needed it because after every drink I just got this amazing burst of energy and just kept on plugging along. Running in the sun was not that much fun, but most of the route was in the shade:)!!

Distance: 6 miles
Duration: 1:01:54
Avg pace: 10:18
Calories: 514

Avg HR: 151bpm Cardiac Drift: 171 (Not sure what my Max is????)

Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 10:41 137bpm Cardiac Drift: 152
Mile 2: 10:35 150bpm Cardiac Drift: 155
Mile 3: 10:05 148bpm Cardiac Drift: 158
Mile 4: 10:12 153bpm Cardiac Drift: 161

Mile 5: 10:10 153bpm Cardiac Drift: 162

Mile 6: 10:05 163bpm Cardiac Drift: 171 (because of the hill back up to my house:)

OMG, my husband just told me that the forecast for tomorrow is 100 degrees. I'm supposed to start my Hanson's Half marathon training tomorrow. 18 weeks and counting till the Staten Island half:) Bring it on baby!!

COMPLETED MY VOLUNTEERING FOR NYRR:)!!

Well, yesterday I completed my volunteering obligation to NYRR. Though it was fun, it was HOT (70 degrees at the start of the race). Thank God I didn't run this race. I ended up being stationed at the finish line, which was cool, but so glad it is over. I met some nice people and got to see the elite runners cross the finish line. Even got to meet the top three finishers:) Hilda Kibet (finish time was 32:43), Madai Perez (32:49) and Deena Kastor (33:14) Wish I had my camera with me. The winner, Hilda, actually was brought to the medic tent immediately after. That was scary to watch, but hey, she finished in 32:43, I think I'd pass out too:(

The main crowd had 2 people pass out after they crossed the finish line. That was scary too. Made me rethink running races on HOT days. My next race is next Sunday, Father's Day 5Miler in Central Park, I am praying the weather is not hot.

NO RUN TODAY AS MY 7 YEAR OLD IS HOME WITH A FEVER AND SORE THROAT:(

Running is my passion, but my kids are my life. So, no run today as I will be cuddling with my daughter trying to make her feel better!

Tomorrow I am doing my race volunteering for the guarentee entry for the 2009 NYC Marathon. To all you ladies out there running the Women's 10K mini in Central Park, I'll be passing out the water and cheering you on. Forecast says it's going to be a hot one, near 90, so make sure you stay hydrated!!! Good luck to all racing:)

SAME EXACT RUN AS YESTERDAY, BUT MUCH BETTER:)

Decided to run the same run as yesterday. First mile legs felt a little heavy, but then all was good. Was even able to run this run faster with no stitch, and it seems the quad pain is now gone:)!!! Heart rate was a bit high today, but not sure if that was do to the humidity or my faster speed, but still in ok range for a training run. All in all, today was a GREAT day!!!

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 39

Avg pace: 9:53

Calories: 359
Avg HR: 144bpm Cardia Drift: 172 (Not sure what my Max is????)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:12 143bpm Cardia Drift: 172

Mile 2: 10:03 148bpm Cardia Drift: 168

Mile 3: 9:39 140bpm Cardia Drift: 171

Mile 4: 9:35 145bpm Cardia Drift: 152

NO PAIN WHILE RUNNING, BUT REALLY SUCKY RUN TODAY:(

It was cloudy and drizzly, but nice for running. I didn't hit the TM or the local track, didn't feel like driving. LOL So I did my normal loop around the water by the church. Not sure if it was the two days off because of the quads, me forgetting my water, or what, but todays run SUCKED. The first 1.5 went great. No pain at all in the legs. My issues with my quads because of the WiiFit have subsided, thank GOD. But at mile 1.5, where I decided to do some hills, instead of turning back. The the stitch hit and I could not get rid of it. I ended up walking every .5 mile for 30 seconds, for the remainder of the run, it was bruttal!! I wanted to run 5 miles today, but when I looped back towards my house at 4, I quit. Well, at least I got out there and logged some miles. As they say, some days are good, some days are ugly. Haven't had a bad day like today since I started. Oh well......

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 45:22
Avg pace: 11:18
Calories: 400

Avg HR: 131bpm Cardia Drift: 151 (Not sure what my Max is????)

Splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 11:18 129bpm Cardia Drift: 149
Mile 2: 10:49 137bpm Cardia Drift: 151
Mile 3: 11:18 129bpm Cardia Drift: 142
Mile 4: 11:46 128bpm Cardia Drift: 135

THESE QUADS NEED A DAY OF REST:(

Woke up this morning and my quads were telling me, "I need rest". LOL It even hurt to walk down stairs. Yikes, I got my ass kicked by WiiFit:) So, just hanging out, waiting for tomorrow's run.

6 MILES, QUADS HURT JUST A BIT:(

Gorgeous day today. Blue skies and sunny, about 68 degrees, when I went for my run at 9:30 a.m. It was hot, but not that humid and there was a nice breeze. Originally I was thinking to do this run on the treadmill at the gym (because my quads were aching a little), and I wanted a nice flat easy pace today. But my husband did his run on the TM yesterday and said the gym was SOO hot, they didn't have the a/c on:( He said when he finished his run, and walked outside, that it felt cooler. So, I decided to run my run outside and deal with the achiness. It wasn't that bad. Planned to do both loops (8miles), but ended up just doing one loop, and then finishing on flat ground to make an even 6 miles for the day. Quads felt ok when going up and down the hills, but the ice bath afterwards was LOVELY!!!! It felt awesome, and legs feel good now, though the quads are a bit achy. I NEED TO FIND A LOOP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD OR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS ALL FLAT! LOL

You're all probably wondering why my quads are achy. Well, it wasn't from running. MY wonderful husband got the family Wii Fit, and I used it yesterday on my rest day from running. I love it!! I did the yoga moves (I mean strength training moves) and really worked my quads. It felt good while I was doing it, but man, I could feel my quads this morning when I woke. Nothing major, they were just telling me I worked them yesterday. LOL I really like the Wii, it teaches you how to do the moves, and really shows your progress, and helps you to improve, as yoga is NOT my favorite thing, as I am so NOT limber. But if I keep at the Wii Fit, I will get better and stronger. Just not sure how to incorporate the Wii workouts with my running, as I don't want to not run, in order to do the Wii Fit. Anybody out in cyberspace have any suggestions on how I can do both? I'm thinking do it after the run that I have a rest day the next day, where I do nothing.

Distance: 6 miles

Duration: 1:03:00

Avg pace: 10:30

Calories: 522
Avg HR: 140bpm Cardia Drift: 163 (Not sure what my Max is????)

Splits were as follows:

Mile 1: 10:54 139bpm Cardia Drift: 160

Mile 2: 10:21 140bpm Cardia Drift: 153

Mile 3: 11:21 145bpm Cardia Drift: 162

Mile 4: 10:30 136bpm Cardia Drift: 163
Mile 5: 10:16 140bpm Cardia Drift: 162

Mile 6: 11:08 140bpm Cardia Drift: 151