7 miles

Today's group run was 7 miles. My knees are aching now, but its only super noticeable when I'm walking down stairs. It was humid and in the upper 70s. The lake shore path gets really really busy the further south we got which was annoying. The coolest part was we ran from Foster to Belmont and back. That blows my brain a bit. The group seemed to be more friendly this time - now that we have run together a few weeks I think we are more comfortable. It made the run a bit nicer.

Next week: 8 miles.

3 more thankspaints

For my oldest friend Tara, a far better marathon runner than I will ever be:


For Doc Dan, who may have to fix me when I die at the finish line:


For Matt P, a member of the 'Tation Vacation crew, life long bestie, smartest person on the planet, nicest guy in the universe, thanks:

rainy morning

I had to run in the morning because I had zero time Wed or Thurs to get in my second solo run of the week. Unfortunately about 15 minutes into it the rain started pouring. Like buckets waterfall levels. As in I couldn't keep my eyes open because of it so the run was cut short. Boo.

I also didn't eat before the run to test out how well that goes. It was ok. I'm going to have to start running before work when it gets mega hot out so I better learn how to do it now.

Tomorrow is a 7-miler with the crew.

mega thanks paints

Got the MS Paint computer back, so here goes the most recent round of donors:

For Natalie and Matt, Audrey thanks you:



Edward C, the California bus riders thank you:



Andy B, thanks for forgoing a pitcher of margs and donating instead:



Jennifer F, project this!



Kris Racer Worlds Greatest (Cheating) Scrabulous Player:

feel, feel, feel, feel my heat

I did a short 30 minute run this morning. I wanted to do 45 but it was so humid and hot that I was really feelin' it. Seems like I better start getting acclimated to summer weather. I'm glad I did this run on my day off - running on workdays is sort of sucky and now I only have one of those to do this week.

so best

Today was another group run. We did 6 miles, and yet again I can say "I have never run this much at one time in my life." It really wasn't so bad! Time goes by faster when you have people to talk to while you run. Keeps you motivated. The best part is that I found out our pace group leader, Chris, works for the ALA and will be at the same conference I'm going to be at in late June. This means we can do our 12 mile run together that weekend! I was really nervous about having to do this one alone, but now I have someone else to go with me. We got pretty excited about that. You meet librarians everywhere these days.

Next week: 7 miles. Now: nap

more thankspaints to be delayed

A hearty "all right!" to Jennifer F, Edward C, Kris Racer, and Andy B for donating to my run. Yesssss. Paintings will return in a week. I'm now at $767.60

thankspaints delayed

I have a lot of people to draw MS Paint thank you letters for donating this weekend at my party, but no MS Paint at home. They'll have to wait a week, sorry guys! But Natalie/Matt, Dan, Jennifer, and the other envelopes that are sealed so I don't know who they are yet...THANKS! You've shoved me to the halfway point!

Birthday run

Yesterday's group run was a 5 miler. It was also on my birthday. It felt pretty great to get out there and run on my birthday. I'm getting increasingly used to waking up early to do this which is good. This was the first run on a Saturday that I could wear running shorts and a short sleeved shirt. The weather was perfect - sunny, warm, decent breeze just when you wanted one. My pace group sang happy birthday to me while running which was cute.

Today my knees are hurting, which I'd imagine is normal considering I don't think I have ever ran 5 miles before.

Last night I had a birthday party here and got donations for the marathon too! Feels good to be supported.

quick run

I'll admit it - I didn't get my 2 30-45 minute runs in this week. I only did a 33 minute run tonight, and I barely even got that in. I almost skipped it but guilt took over so I sucked it up and went out there. I'm so glad I did because it made me feel a lot better and a hell of a lot less guilty/lazy. It was another night run and it was chilly but it was worth it.

Saturday's group run is 5 miles, and it is also on my birthday. Dedication is me waking up at 5:30 am on my birthday to do this. If you didn't think I could do it before, now you better.

Another A+ Awesome Adult

Nick donated!

Thanks Paints!

Tamron, comin in with the support from the east coast!

Week 2 Run: 4 miles

Today was the second group run and the first time we ran with our pace groups. We had a group leader who would call out when it was time to walk or run, and when we were going to fast or too slow for what is our pace. We ran 3 minutes, then would walk 1 minute. The walking is a bit of a double edged sword - I probably wouldn't have made the 4 miles without it, but its hard to get back to jogging after a minute of walking. I felt good at the end of the run - not exhausted at all. They want us to be able to talk the whole run so we keep a slower pace, so I had to make a bit of small talk. About half my group are alumni of this program - some have done it for 4 years! I think that says a lot about the program - that it works, its fun, it feels good etc. Next week we do five miles - on my birthday!

thankspaints

I've started making MS Paint thank you cards for people who donate. First ones:

thanks sponsors!

Tomorrow is another bright and early run, and another chilly one. We'll be doing four miles tomorrow, the first time with our pace groups. Shouldn't be too bad.

Mega Thanks to Liz C. and my pops for donating to my marathon! They've put me ahead of my 500 dollars by May 15th goal! And remember, if you've donated it usually takes 4-5 days for it to be reflected on my list. So have no fear, your shout outs will occur soon.

pacing, weather

My run today seemed really difficult. I think a few factors were involved: at 72 degrees this was the 'hottest' run I've done yet, I wasn't sticking to my run/walk rotation. Instead I was running for a long time then walking a minute or two. I also was having trouble paying attention to my pace and found that I was going faster than I should be. I still got in 35 minutes though. I just feel extra tired today.

And a special shout out goes to Kevin and Paul for their generous sponsorship of my run! Best best friends ever.

first group run

I woke up at 5:20 am to get to the run site in time today for our first run. It was difficult to wake up, but once I was up I had no problem. The bus ride ruled because there was nobody getting on or off the bus so it was as if I had my own taxi...until some crazy tweaker kid decided to sit right next to me on an empty bus and hit on me. Ugh. Too early buddy.

It was cold out by the beach. We split into groups based on what we thought our mile time would be for a 3 mile run. I put myself in 12 minute mile group. Yeah yeah, slow. Whatever, they said to be slow and at a conversational pace or else you'll be put in a group thats too hard for you. We ran the three miles, with goofy cheer leaders everywhere cheering us on. At the end we got our times shouted out and they put us in our pace groups. Mine will be running 3 minutes, walking 1 minute from here on out. I got exactly 12 minutes for the run actually. Guess I was good at pacing and remembering how I ran the past few weeks.

I went home, was there by 9:30 am! Feels sort of weird. Next saturday is 4 miles, then the next week 5 and so on. It really doesn't feel so daunting right now, I don't know why. It probably should?

Last chance!

Today was my last run before I start the big group training Saturday. I ran 2.5 miles. I was going to do a full 3 and time myself because that is what we are doing Saturday to get set in pace groups. However, I was sort of angry while I was running so I ended up running much harder than normal. I didn't realize it until I was almost done and had to stop because I thought I'd puke. Despite that, I had a great time.

Saturday starts the getting up at 5:15 a.m. business, and hoping on a bus at 5:54 a.m. Holy Shit. As someone who rarely can get out of her bed before 8, even on work days, this will be brutal.

I also had to buy some more gear today. This running business is pricey! I needed warmer running gear for this first run because it is going to be in the 40s and raining. I also got a new running watch so I could check my intervals much easier than carrying my half broke pedometer with me and constantly looking down to see what time it is.

Finally, I'm starving. At all times. I can't eat enough, but I also don't really want to eat. My stomach says "wah feed me" but the rest of me says "man that takes so much time and effort, forget it." No wonder I'm shedding inches so fast. I'll have to fix it soon enough though, because not eating and running 10-15 miles in one stretch is no good.