Absolutely beautiful out! I love this weather. Although I am pretty sure it is just a teaser. Something tells me we have plenty of cold weather left until spring. Until then, I am going to enjoy every single second of this weather!
This morning, I had Master's Swim practice. Today, was butterfly day. Oh the joy! I must point out that it took me forever to be able to swim freestyle comfortably and feel somewhat decent at it. Introduce me to a new stroke...(insert big GROAN). The dolphin kick drill about did me in. However, we then added arms. Strangely, I found myself enjoying it and not being too bad considering it was my first day swimming fly. Kind of exilerating to learn something new. And yes, GASP, I said i enjoyed learning a new swim stroke :).
After I got off, I put on shorts and a light long sleeve shirt and went for a run. Started at Wellness Center and went out part of Foot Rx Loop and back for a total of 7. First half of run, I a ran reasonably well. Second half...not so much. I think I get a mental block when I have to turn around and come back. Despite my slower miles in the middle of my run I finished out with an 8:26 pace. I will take that.
Before I started this post tonight, I logged onto facebook and saw that FootRx is resuming speed work tm night. (5:30 at Science Hill Track) As much as I HATE speed work, it has really helped me drop my times in 5k, 10k, halfs, and fulls. Now, hopefully it will help me with my endurance endeaver of the Ironman.
I am going to deligently work on getting more sleep and trying to eat better. (I am notorious for sleeping little and eating terribly). Help keep me accountable!
PS-I feel like a small child, I can hardly contain my excitement for Disney with my girls!!!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
South Holston Dam Ride
Today was my first of many bike rides while training for the Ironman. And what a perfect day for a ride it was! Temperatures averageing between 63-65 degrees at the end of January! The company was splendid too...Thanks to Tony, Jamie, and Ben for riding with me and offering me lots of words of encouragements and advice :) I appreciate more than you all know.
Our ride began from the cabose in bluff city and continued down Egypt Road onto Silvergrove which led us to Riverside. It was a beautfiul ride along side the river. We came out at Hickory Tree Store and headed towards south holston dam. I particularly enjoyed this ride secondary to riding right past where my grandparents and dear great aunt E lived. Many fond memories.
The hardest part of the ride for me was the climb up South Holston. It was my first real climb to date. Although it was difficult, I was thrilled to have made it to the top. I cant wait to do it again, only faster next time :) By the time we finished our ride, my legs were a spent. However, I am already looking forward to next weekend when I will get to ride again!
Our ride began from the cabose in bluff city and continued down Egypt Road onto Silvergrove which led us to Riverside. It was a beautfiul ride along side the river. We came out at Hickory Tree Store and headed towards south holston dam. I particularly enjoyed this ride secondary to riding right past where my grandparents and dear great aunt E lived. Many fond memories.
The hardest part of the ride for me was the climb up South Holston. It was my first real climb to date. Although it was difficult, I was thrilled to have made it to the top. I cant wait to do it again, only faster next time :) By the time we finished our ride, my legs were a spent. However, I am already looking forward to next weekend when I will get to ride again!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
War Party 10K
What a beautiful day out! I am in awe of what God does to lift our spirits. I could not have possibly asked for better weather for the War Party 10K. There was such a great turn out! i was pleased to see everyone out taking advantage of this lovely weather. Only thing missing...Jamie Mains. Just isnt the same without her there. However, she was excused from this one due to a Girls on the Run Meeting :).
I ran a 48:08 on the course averaging 7:45 miles. For the most part, I was pleased. Especially considering the tough hill you have to climb twice! However, I am a bit disappointed that I didnt run a bit faster up the hill the second time around. It killed my average. Such is life. Thanks to Tom Murrell, Linda Morgan, Mark and Lianne Jennings, Ray Gravitte, Ben Rasnick, Anita, and Allison Pastorik for cheering me on. Great job voluntering friends! Always good to see you all.
Three cheers for Teresea Lindamood, Sherry Richardson, Debi Secor, and Lana Moore for running some awesome times today! You all rock! Very proud of each of you.
Tommorrow's Plan: Tackle White Lightening Ride with Ben, Jamie and Tony Williams. Pray my legs hold up. Happy Saturday!
I ran a 48:08 on the course averaging 7:45 miles. For the most part, I was pleased. Especially considering the tough hill you have to climb twice! However, I am a bit disappointed that I didnt run a bit faster up the hill the second time around. It killed my average. Such is life. Thanks to Tom Murrell, Linda Morgan, Mark and Lianne Jennings, Ray Gravitte, Ben Rasnick, Anita, and Allison Pastorik for cheering me on. Great job voluntering friends! Always good to see you all.
Three cheers for Teresea Lindamood, Sherry Richardson, Debi Secor, and Lana Moore for running some awesome times today! You all rock! Very proud of each of you.
Tommorrow's Plan: Tackle White Lightening Ride with Ben, Jamie and Tony Williams. Pray my legs hold up. Happy Saturday!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Officially Registered
As in of Wed night, I became registered for the Ironman. Right now, I have lots of mixed emotions. I am incredibly humbled by the distance. I am excited for the opportunity to train and complete the event with some of my favorite workout people! I am also sacred to death. I realize I have a tremendous amount of training to do over the next six months. Want to help? Encourage me. Offer to run, ride, or swim with me. Those are my loves. If you ask to go with me or invite me to go with you, I would gladly accept.
I am very thankful for thsoe people whom have encouraged me and pushed me into signing up. Jamie and Tony Williams have been explained my lack there of cycling skills. Yet still, they have advocated and cheered me into registering. I am very much looking forward to training with Jamie and learning from her. Her enthusiasm definetly rubbed off on me. From day one, Rachel Monderer has believed in me. I ran in to her at the gym Wed night and she matter of factly said, "I know you can do it." So, with her vote of confidence-I went for it. I also need to thank Jason Lewis, my other half, for the reality check. I know he will be behind me the whole way-keeping my training in check. And of course, Jamie Mains, my faithful running/training parter and bestest whom believes in me in all areas of live.
Quick trianing update:
Wed- am: Master's Swim endurance workout consisting of freestyle and backstroke. pm: 1 hour on spin bike set at random hill level 11 with an average of 17.01 followed by a treadmill run of 3 miles in 26 flat. First brick workout of many to come.
Thursday- Easy 5 at FootRx Group run. Ran slow in preparation for war party 10k on Saturday. Averaged an 8:40 pace.
Friday-Master's Swim with focus on speed 12 25 meter sprint repeats on 40 second intervals. Followed by 75 build and then 100 build. Ended with 6 25 meter sprints on 100. Including warm up and cool down 1700 meters
Tommorrow is War Party 10K. Do not really feel race ready...We shall see.
I am very thankful for thsoe people whom have encouraged me and pushed me into signing up. Jamie and Tony Williams have been explained my lack there of cycling skills. Yet still, they have advocated and cheered me into registering. I am very much looking forward to training with Jamie and learning from her. Her enthusiasm definetly rubbed off on me. From day one, Rachel Monderer has believed in me. I ran in to her at the gym Wed night and she matter of factly said, "I know you can do it." So, with her vote of confidence-I went for it. I also need to thank Jason Lewis, my other half, for the reality check. I know he will be behind me the whole way-keeping my training in check. And of course, Jamie Mains, my faithful running/training parter and bestest whom believes in me in all areas of live.
Quick trianing update:
Wed- am: Master's Swim endurance workout consisting of freestyle and backstroke. pm: 1 hour on spin bike set at random hill level 11 with an average of 17.01 followed by a treadmill run of 3 miles in 26 flat. First brick workout of many to come.
Thursday- Easy 5 at FootRx Group run. Ran slow in preparation for war party 10k on Saturday. Averaged an 8:40 pace.
Friday-Master's Swim with focus on speed 12 25 meter sprint repeats on 40 second intervals. Followed by 75 build and then 100 build. Ended with 6 25 meter sprints on 100. Including warm up and cool down 1700 meters
Tommorrow is War Party 10K. Do not really feel race ready...We shall see.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Another week...
Woke up this morning with more snow. Boo. I am over it. I am ready for spring and sweat! Saturday I decided to run long, alone. I wasnt sure how much time I would have Sunday so I figured it was best to get it over with. I left from the Wellness Center and headed out towards the hospital where I made I right onto markey. I ran down past the Down Home and came back up through VA and to finish with the last 4 miles of the Foot Rx Loop. Needless to say, it was an intense hilly run. I averaged about an 8:50 pace. Stopped for water at the Shell station around mile 9. For me, it felt slow. Even though I know it was still a bit fast for long runs, it is still hard for me to get in the mind set to run SLOW. I have read and memorized Hal Higdon's plan. Therefore, I know the importance of the Long Slow Distance (LSD). But doing it and feeling good about it is something else...Anyhow, I finished it.
Sunday, after church, I met Jamie Mains, Jamie Williams, and Tyler Ramey in Kingsport to run a recovery run. Beautiful day, around 40 degrees with sunshine! We ran the crazy 8's course at about a 9 min pace. Actually felt pretty good. It was nice to run with new running friends. I find it fun to see other people's running energy and love. It makes me smile and gives me a new found love for the sport.
Today, thus far, I have made it to my Master's Swim class. We focused on drills for the back stroke. My shoulders are shot as are my legs from all the flutter kicking. Even though it is early, I have truly come to love my swim class. Nearly 8 months ago I couldnt swim a length of a pool. Now, I can swim 2 miles. Crazy. Time to get ready for work...
Sunday, after church, I met Jamie Mains, Jamie Williams, and Tyler Ramey in Kingsport to run a recovery run. Beautiful day, around 40 degrees with sunshine! We ran the crazy 8's course at about a 9 min pace. Actually felt pretty good. It was nice to run with new running friends. I find it fun to see other people's running energy and love. It makes me smile and gives me a new found love for the sport.
Today, thus far, I have made it to my Master's Swim class. We focused on drills for the back stroke. My shoulders are shot as are my legs from all the flutter kicking. Even though it is early, I have truly come to love my swim class. Nearly 8 months ago I couldnt swim a length of a pool. Now, I can swim 2 miles. Crazy. Time to get ready for work...
Friday, January 21, 2011
Becasue of Niki...
Recently, Niki Ferguson approached my dear friend Jamie Mains about doing the Disney Princess Half Marathon. One thing led to another, I signed up along with our good friends Sherry and Allison. Needless to say, I am pumped. What could be more exciting than running through Magic Kingdom and giving Mickey high fives with some of my favorite running friends? If you said nothing, I am in one hundred percent agreement.
Since Niki decided to run the race she also decided to start a running training blog. Thus far, I have been inspired and thouroughly enjoyed reading her posts. Sometime, while reading her blog, I played around with the idea of starting one of my own. So here it is. Let me be clear, if you have no intrest in running, endurance sports, triatahlons, hearing about my training (both ups and downs), or simply me...then this is not for you. If, however, by chance you do feel free to share with me my journey over the next year (or however long I decide to keep this blog), then by all means, read on.
As some of my close friends already know, I have strongly been considering doing the Ford Louisville Ironman with my boyfriend, Jason-whom which would obviously finish several hours in front of me :). Last year, when I went and watched Jason complete his first Ironman, I was amazed at the athletes and determination of everyone out there. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought I would like to try that. As the months passed, I focused on one thing and one thing only-qualifying for Boston! On December 4, 2010 I crossed the finish line of the West Palm Beaches Marathon Festival in 3:38:03-a Boston Qualifying time!! But...do to the fact that Boston filled up so quickly, I am now waiting to see if they tighten up times and if mine is good enough. I figure as I wait, I may as well look onward to my next goal-breaking 3:35 and completing an Ironman. With the encouragement of Jamie Willams and Ben Rasnick, I have come to the decision that I will begin the training next month. I know I have alot of work ahead of me-especially when it comes to cycling. I suppose come Feburary or beginning of March, I will go full force into training. If anyone ever wants to go on a ride, give me a call. I will need all of the practice I can get.
In the meantime, I will continue my early morning swims and long sweaty little jaunts (thanks Sid!). As in of now, not sure what my running plan is for tommrrow. Something between 6-8 likely. Then a long run on Sunday with Jamie Williams and hopefully Jamie Mains (any of my other fellow running friends are welcome to join us).
Since Niki decided to run the race she also decided to start a running training blog. Thus far, I have been inspired and thouroughly enjoyed reading her posts. Sometime, while reading her blog, I played around with the idea of starting one of my own. So here it is. Let me be clear, if you have no intrest in running, endurance sports, triatahlons, hearing about my training (both ups and downs), or simply me...then this is not for you. If, however, by chance you do feel free to share with me my journey over the next year (or however long I decide to keep this blog), then by all means, read on.
As some of my close friends already know, I have strongly been considering doing the Ford Louisville Ironman with my boyfriend, Jason-whom which would obviously finish several hours in front of me :). Last year, when I went and watched Jason complete his first Ironman, I was amazed at the athletes and determination of everyone out there. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought I would like to try that. As the months passed, I focused on one thing and one thing only-qualifying for Boston! On December 4, 2010 I crossed the finish line of the West Palm Beaches Marathon Festival in 3:38:03-a Boston Qualifying time!! But...do to the fact that Boston filled up so quickly, I am now waiting to see if they tighten up times and if mine is good enough. I figure as I wait, I may as well look onward to my next goal-breaking 3:35 and completing an Ironman. With the encouragement of Jamie Willams and Ben Rasnick, I have come to the decision that I will begin the training next month. I know I have alot of work ahead of me-especially when it comes to cycling. I suppose come Feburary or beginning of March, I will go full force into training. If anyone ever wants to go on a ride, give me a call. I will need all of the practice I can get.
In the meantime, I will continue my early morning swims and long sweaty little jaunts (thanks Sid!). As in of now, not sure what my running plan is for tommrrow. Something between 6-8 likely. Then a long run on Sunday with Jamie Williams and hopefully Jamie Mains (any of my other fellow running friends are welcome to join us).
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