Sick on Saturday

Ugh. I didn't get to run on Saturday, which was our 8-mile day and would have been a milestone for me. I was coming off a cold and didn't have it in me to run. Couch said to wait a day or so before running again. I hope to make up some miles tomorrow morning. I'm shooting for 6 miles before I go to work.

The Griffith Park Experience

On Saturday, 7/10, the Santa Clarita Team in Training connected with several other TNT groups of the Greater Los Angeles area to run a 6 - 10 mile run. This one was a doozy. We have run six miles before, but not in deep dirt and steep hills. Talk about a test of endurance.

(See my post-run posturing in the picture!)

Afterwards we had a picnic and got to meet some wonderful people. Jenn, Coach Jo Jo, Coach Dave, Kristine, and I hung out and rapped about our training. Kristine (you have to love this woman), managing to conjur an idea for fundraising with every third word one utters.

No. 397 in the Santa Clarita 5k

This morning at 8:00 AM sharp, I stood with approximately 700 others waiting for the GO.

This is the first race in which I have ever participated. Sure, I did the 5k Revlon Walk, but that was a walk.

There is a feel of insipration in the air when running with so many people, you can't help but keep your stride and shoot for the finish line.

Today's race made for a good gauge of the feel and spirit of a race, and it makes me that much more prepared for the half marathon this September.

Another 6 and a 5k Coming

Ran another six miles this morning. It was a piece of cake. I think we actually improved on our time. I know our pace was a bit quicker.

Tomorrow we run the Santa Clarita 5k!

6 Miles and a Glance at Nutrition

We ran 6 miles this morning, the longest distance I have ever run. Sure, I used to run a lot when I was younger, but never a distance like this.

I felt really good about the run, though I forgot about the downhill rule of shortening your pace and my knee was not happy about it; but no worries, I recovered thanks to coach JoJo's excercises.

I'm looking forward to expanding to 8 miles, coming soon.

We talked a bit about nutrition after this morning's run. This will be a greater challenge than breaking down the endurance walls, because for those who know me I surely love the junk food.

Here's to better things to come!

A Saturday of Running and Stretching

Last Saturday we extended to 5 miles. Piece of cake. It's nice to see it is getting easier.

Coach Joanne showed us some yoga stretches after the run, which are always fun to do on small islands of grass in a stripmall parking lot.

We also learned some dynamic stretches prior to the run; stretches where you are in motion while stretching your muscles. I think I tapped into some muscle use I never had before, because my legs were killin' me Sun - Tue and I couldn't do my routine Monday morning run so I biked it.

Back on track this morning though. Got in 3 miles before work!

After a 10-Day Respite

I hadn't run for 10 days. I ran on 5/20 and then took vacation, opting for the "I'm on vacation so I'm not doing anything" clause that I just now made up. But, when I ran yesterday I felt pretty good.

It's getting warmer, and I'm not looking forward to running in the heat.