Weekend Run Recap!

My weekend runs were crazy! Friday I did a short/fast run. My total run was 1.25 miles. I had planned to walk the rest of the 5k but the winds were so bad I just called it a day.
Saturday morning I planned to do my full 5k "Roadkill Run" behind the house. The weatherman had called for storms that morning, but when I left the house all was clear. About 1.5miles in to the run, it started to rain. I just kept of pushing. I really wanted to finish. At mile 2, it started to pour. I stopped to call Tommy to ask him to come pick me up, and told him I would keep running until he got there. I was at about 2.5 when he made it to me. He brought a towel...I was soaked. I was a little upset with myself for not finishing, but about the time I walked in the house the tornado sirens were sounding, so I was glad I stopped when I did! Luckily, a tornado never hit down in my community. A town about an hour away got the brunt of the damage. A blessing that no one was killed in that area.

Running with Dad

My Dad passed away March 19, 2007. It changed my life forever. One of his favorite things to do was grill. In the past few weeks, my evening jogs have been a great time to think about and remember him. Running on nice Spring evenings, through the neighborhood I grew up in, smelling the fresh cut grass and meat cooking on a family's grill has become a refuge for me. It is my time with Dad. The first spring night I could smell the cut grass and grills, I cried for over half my jog. I know my Dad would be so proud of me. I know he would be at my races with a huge smile on his face cheering me on. There are some days that I miss him so much that my body physically hurts. Now, I just think about my evening runs...with him , and it helps.

Workout Update- At least I wasn't roadkill :)

Date: 4-19-10
Time of Day:6:45-7:30 PM
Location:Long Country Roads :)

Type: Comfortable Run with hills
Total Steps: 7520

Last night I did another new running course. Usually for my comfortable run, I do a course I mapped out in the neighborhood I grew up in. Yesterday, however, I had a gym clothes mix-up (the hubby and I traded vehicles in the afternoon and I forgot to go out and get my gym clothes before he took off with my car) so I went home instead of running in town. When I made it home, I almost decided to skip my run, but I knew I would be out of town some this week so I decided to just make the run happen. Tommy dropped me off on the road behind our house 3.1 miles from the end of the road. When he was driving me out, he kept asking if I was sure I wanted to do this. I think he was worried I wouldn't be able to make it running later in the day. But, I was determined.
Overall the run was great, and I think I may add it to my normal running rotation. There were a few long killer hills that I had never really paid much attention to in the car. At one hill that seems to last about half a mile up, I thought I might die... but I was able to survive. I also saw...and smelled several pieces of roadkill (YUCK!) I always say I saw more roadkill in our first month married/ at the new house(in the country) than I had my entire life growing up in the city. At one point, I also had a parade of unleashed dogs following me! They were all pretty friendly, and one followed me at least a quarter mile before turning around to do back home. Overall the run was good. The weather was perfect, and I am so glad I decided to make the run last night!

Big Spring Park

Tommy and I are out of town this weekend following our favorite Minor League Baseball Team , the Jacksonville Suns. Tommy is a huge Marlins fan, and a couple of years ago we decided to check out one of their minor league teams. We have been hooked since. During baseball season, we spend many weekends on the road cheering on our boys. This year, I want to make a real effort to find new places to walk/jog while we are out of town instead of just using the hotel treadmill. This morning we were able to explore Big Spring Park in Huntsville, Alabama. It is a gorgeous park. Since Tommy was with me, we spent most of the time just walking through the park and enjoying the ducks, fish, and beautiful scenery. After we had walked around for about an hour, I asked Tommy if he would mind if I did a short jog. It was so much fun jogging in a new place. My pace was very comfortable and because Tommy was waiting, it was very short. During our entire time at the park I logged 5420 steps.

When we got back to the hotel I decided to do a quick mile on the treadmill to complete my workout. I was excited with my time..12:08. This is my best 1mile time on the treadmill so far. YAY! Now that I am running outside, the treadmill has become tedious for me...I get bored quick! So far this has been a great weekend. Only wish the hotel had the pool open already! Happy Saturday!

Workout Update

Date: 4-16-10
Time of Day: 6:00 -6:45 AM
Location: Lexington Park

Type: Hills
Total Steps: 5267

When I got fitted for shoes earlier in the week, I asked for advise on how to increase speed and endurance on my runs. I was given a wealth of information. He asked how ofter I ran during the week. I told him that I try to fit in at least 3 runs a week but am pushing towards 4 a week. He said for the next couple of months I should split my runs into three different types. One run should include hills, one working with speed intervals, and one long run at a comfortable pace.

Today I worked on hills. I went to a park I knew had a nice long, steady, but steep hill. I started out with a comfortable walk around the outer loop (1/4 mile). Then I started on the hill. I would run up the hill as hard as I could, then walk back down. I did this 10 times. Eventually, I'd like to get a stop watch and see if I can increase my speed running up the hill. After working on the hills, I walked another comfortable loop. I followed that up with a 1/2 mile jog, and then walked one last loop.

I felt a bit lethargic today. I didn't sleep well, and had pretty bad cramps all night. I am glad I got myself up and going this morning because I felt much better after the workout.

Intro Post...

Hello Blog World! My name is Jess. I am new to blogger so everyone will have to bear with me as I learn how to do this. My main purpose for this blog is to keep track of my running/jogging, but I am sure I will add lots of other topics along the way. Growing up I was never athletic. I played little league softball a couple of years but was terrible. In my early 20s, I worked out quite a bit on the treadmill at the gym. I was single, living alone, and the local university offered a great discount gym membership for alumni...and I could watch TV without paying an extra cable bill while working out. It was great! I lost some weight and was having fun with it. Then as life started throwing some punches, I found myself not having as much time for workin g out. Fast forward about six years and now I am married, working a job I love as a children's librarian, and ready to find my fit self again! During the last year, I have worked out regularly and in January I started working towards running my first 5k. I used the couch to 5k program to help me build up my endurance for jogging outside. On April 10, I jogged my first 5k. It was great! I jogged with a friend, and my hubby came to cheer me on (and take pictures). I was a little disappointed with my time 40:28, but I told myself I had to start somewhere...and I was able to jog the entire course without stopping to walk which was my main goal. My next 5k is scheduled for May 8. I'm hoping to finish under 40 minutes this time around. Earlier in the week, I went and got fitted for shoes and got some tips for increasing my speed. So I plan on working hard to make my goal of under 40!