Debra- great job on the Firecracker 4!  That's a huge drop in your time for the same race.  And your consistent mileage is really going to pay off in those HM's you have coming up.

MaryKay- that's great that you got the fund raising done.  Good luck on the training plan for that race. 4 days/week sounds just right. You will enjoy that race so much!

Happy Birthday Marie!!  Hope the 6.2 goes well.  You're just a touch older than me but look about 10 years younger!  Must be all that running.  Keep it up!

AZ- Wow, DH has had a run of issues since the stents were put in!  Those blood thinners can be so frustrating.  I'm sure you were keeping an eye on him while he was out chopping wood!!!    Glad you were able to get in a few runs to relieve some of the stress.

Art- you are so right about the heat.  Even what seem like small changes in temp can affect us.  I ran Tuesday and today, same route, and ran using low heart rate numbers so running same effort, and each mile pace was 10-25 seconds faster today, when the temp was 13 degrees lower at the start of the run.  I've been feeling kinda beat up lately, so I decided earlier this week to run "Maffetone" style this week, an keep my heart rate below 126.  And I am feeling better.

Not sure how much running I'll be doing the rest of the week, or rest of the month.  DD wedding is tomorrow, and family coming in from Arkansas and Florida to see.  12 days after the wedding we leave for 2 weeks in India.  I'm hoping to run a  few times there, but not sure how that will go.  After I recover from the jet lag I hope to hit it hard the last 6 weeks before the HM on 9/22, but the last 2 weeks should be a taper, so that leaves me 4 weeks of hard training.  Maybe I'll adjust my goal time a little.

Have a great weekend all; I'll lurk when I can and catch up over the weekend.  Enjoy your runs!!

 

AZ- Wow, DH has had a run of issues since the stents were put in!  Those blood thinners can be so frustrating.  I'm sure you were keeping an eye on him while he was out chopping wood!!!    Glad you were able to get in a few runs to relieve some of the stress.

 

Not sure how much running I'll be doing the rest of the week, or rest of the month.  DD wedding is tomorrow, and family coming in from Arkansas and Florida to see.  12 days after the wedding we leave for 2 weeks in India.  I'm hoping to run a  few times there, but not sure how that will go.  After I recover from the jet lag I hope to hit it hard the last 6 weeks before the HM on 9/22, but the last 2 weeks should be a taper, so that leaves me 4 weeks of hard training.  Maybe I'll adjust my goal time a little.

 

Have a great weekend all; I'll lurk when I can and catch up over the weekend.  Enjoy your runs!!

Thanks Dan, when it rains, it pours!!  As you are a physician, I know you have a greater understanding of the consequences of meds, a necessary evil, so to speak.  DH is coping but my fears will always be present, and yes, I kept walking out to DH to make sure he took a rest break, and keeping cool with some cold drinks.

Wishing your DD the best and safe travels on your India trip.

Hi everyone!

Wishing you many, many more Marie!!  Hope you enjoyed your special day!!

Rich:  i feel for you as I struggle with achilles tendonitis on my left when I start to run more than 16 miles, and adding more hill repeats.  It's a dilemma so smart recovery is key.  Hope it doesn't keep you down too long.

Debra:  I have to try a night run sometime.  Your race sound like fun even for a 5k .  I think I rather run a 10k than a 5k though.  Regardless, those 'sprints' are tough to train for IMO.  Thanks for the well wishes; these stormy times will pass I know.

Art:  how are the AZ summer days?  I can't imagine!!  We are planning on visiting next month (Phx/Flag).  Have you decided on a race 'up north?'

So DH practically had to push me out the door, "just run for an hour, you'll feel better, and you need it."

So I did, 5.5 miles, 1:01, easy and slow, didn't care about the pace or the humidity although it wasn't bad due to the breeze and temps in the 70s at 7:30 pm!!  Yep, it sure felt good.

Dan - I was thinking and if you can get a few days of running in during the next few weeks, maybe the extra rest will be good before you get back to it. Remember earlier this year when I said I didn't run as much as the previous year but my time was still good. Either way enjoy the next few weeks. Maybe you'll find a short 5K while you are in India. Now that would be cool.

Rich - Good decision on cutting back a little. Think of what might be if it got worse and you couldn't run. You could always do more core exercises or some bike rides while giving your foot a little rest.

Debra - Agree on the 5Ks. Though the 5K races seem to be the ones that are more festive or interesting. More people dress up in 5K than the 10K or half's. And the few night runs I had done have been fun and have a certain "glow".

AZ - No I haven't scheduled anything up North. Looking at maybe the Jerome hill climb on Sept. 1 but it's still kind of iffy. Nothing really until October and beyond.

Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Hi everyone, it's been awhile since I posted, so please forgive me if I miss you in this reply.

WDRich - I found this stretch to help a lot.  Stand about 3 inches from the wall (toes to wall), bend forward until knees touch wall, stand up straight and turn slightly and bend forward so right knee touches wall just to left of center line, turn to right and bend until left knee touches just to right of center line.  Repeat 10 times.

Marie - Happy B-day (belated)!!!  Good to see you're still out there enjoying life.

Mkay - Great pic of PKar! I see on athlinks she did a race on new years day.  Miss her positive outlook.

Dan - Have a great trip and "Best Wishes" to your daughter.

AZ - It's been a tough year!  Sending positive thoughts your way.  DH is right, running will make you feel better...

Debra - 5K sprint?  heh, heh.  Not sure, but running faster is fun!  Sprinting in barefeet on grass used to be one of my great joys in life.

dyykjt1 - I know it takes me a mile to warm up, so these days try to do about that before the race.

Been kind of in the doldrums lately.  No training plans, no goal races, trying to figure out what to do.  Weekly mileage dropped down to 22 miles after marathon and stayed under 30 until last week.  Last Friday was sitting at 9 miles for the week and wanted to do at least 30, so went out and did 9 miles at work and then another 3 on TM.  Got out Saturday did 5 quick miles and sunday another 9.  Not sure what to do, but thought I would see if I can at least match my continuous days of running streak (11 days) earlier this year.  Currently at 7 days. Doing a 10K race tomorrow and might do a 5 mile race on Sunday.  We'll see.

Quick check in:  every 15 minutes this morning at 6 am, DH whispered in my ear "it's humid but it's cloudy and a little breeze, you should run now before it begins to rain." EVERY 15 minutes, he's hilarious, kept making me laugh that I couldn't sleep any longer!! So out the door, and ran 10.1 miles, 1:45.  I told myself to run SLOW so to run LONGER, and I ran by feel, taking a one-minute walk break every 2 miles.  It started to sprinkle on my way home which is the last mile, and it started to rain about 10 minutes after I finished, perfect!!  Felt great!!  Hope to run at least 3 days this week .........cloudy days sure do make a difference in a humid climate!!  Not sure about running THAT early though,  .  Was never an early runner except for races but when you have to, you do.

Run safe, and stay cool everyone!

A brief wedding report (WR): 

All went very well, rehearsal, dinner, all the last minute stuff on Friday.  Ran a quick 3.5 mi along the lake in Madison where the wedding was and spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon running little errands for DW.  Helped set up decorations for the dinner before going back and getting the tux on.  Things were a little late due to snafu with flowers just before the start.  That and no one wanted to be seated ahead of time due to sunshine, 82 and outdoor wedding on top of Monona Terrace, the convention center in Madison.  Beautiful setting, with a fountain and the state capital building in the background as the wedding proceeded.  Once things started I waited with DD behind some plantings to keep her out of site of the groom.  When we finally got to walk down the "aisle" it was incredible.  I had expected to totally lose it as we walked to the front, but I/we just had the biggest smiles on our faces!  Seeing everyone stand and watch beautiful DD was amazing.  As we walked I leaned to her and said "Just look at all those people who love you so much!".  Short ceremony (good thing, I could feel the sweat running down my chest from the heat), then pics of wedding party, family, etc.

The reception was amazing also, great time had by all.  After DD and new hubby had their dance, she and I had the father/daugher dance to "Father & Daughter by Paul Simon.  Great song.  A short time later DW and I danced to our favorite, "Still the One", by Orleans.  Dinner, dessert & dancing.  As parents of the bride we were there till they closed up shop, then had to change and head back home, got in about 2AM, very long time since I've been up that late.  Thanks for all your well wishes!

The next morning came out to flat tire on the Subaru and found a 3" screw buried in it.  Normally would have had it plugged but I must have driven too far at low pressure on the way home, the side wall was severely weakened, so the Subie now has 4 new tires!  Just what FOB did not need.

Oh yes, ran the 3.5 Friday and 4 both Monday and today.  This morning was definitely 'swimming in cotton' weather.  If I wasn't running at 5AM I wouldn't be running outside at all!

Art- I like your idea of getting in as much running as I can before the trip, then letting the 2 weeks be mostly rest, then get back at it hard after we return.  I'll have just over 5 weeks, so I'll work on getting long run back up to 13 and doing some speed and hill work.

Good week to all!

Dan - Congratulations on your DD's wedding, and enjoy your trip!

My Achilles tendonitis comes and goes so running is a day by day decision.  Some days I'll go out for my normal run, and other days I just have to give it some rest and do something else.  With just 5.5 weeks left before my next HM, I'm torn between training and doing what I know is required to get the tendonitis healed.  One thing is certain- I'll not be trying for a PR this time out.  DD will be happy about that.  She wants me to run/walk with her during the event and take time to stop and visit with the Disney characters along the way.