Getting faster!

This is a huge shock (mostly to myself), but I have started running on weekday mornings before work. Jack is an early riser (he is up between 5 and 6) and I decided to take advantage of this and have now gone on a few runs. I am not a morning person so it takes a lot for me to get out of bed and make the decision to go for a run. I lay in bed thinking that I should go, but I don't actually get up and then it gets too late and I've missed the opportunity. When Jack wakes up, he sits in bed with me and I let him watch Sesame Street. Eventually he wants to get down and play, and that's when we start our day. I'm really trying hard to get motivated and get moving soon after he wakes up. It's not easy, but I've learned that it is doable!

Because of the time constraints, I've mostly been doing my lake run which is 1.3 miles and takes 20 minutes. My first early weekday run was on Friday August 5. I hadn't done this route in awhile since I've been doing a longer route on the weekends. I quickly noticed that it seemed easier, but it is mostly flat. Near the end of the run, there are 3 hills one right after the other. The first and last are very steep and the middle one is really long. I usually run up half way and finish each one walking. I didn't have to do that! I was able to run up all 3 hills (slowly, but still running) and finished in a good time. I didn't run at all that weekend and did 2 more morning runs the next week.

Last weekend I did my "long" run of 2.7 miles and I felt so great and didn't have to walk at all (and this route also has some big hills). I finished it in record time! Then yesterday we were up and ready to go even earlier than normal, so I decided I had time to do my 2.3 mile run. Again, I felt great and ran even faster! I actually wanted to keep going but even if it weren't for the time constraints, I need to stick to what I'm doing a little longer. I don't want to add miles on too quickly and risk injury. But I definitely don't want to slow down either! I love that I can see how fast I'm running with RunKeeper. And I love that the runs are getting easier and more enjoyable!

Here is my log for the last few runs (and all runs were done while pushing Jack in the Bob):

August 5, 2011, 6:46am
1.40 miles
17:33 minutes
12:34 average minutes/mile

August 9, 6:43am
1.43 miles
18:41 minutes
13:06 avg. pace (I wasn't feeling it this day, but went out anyway!)

August 10, 6:52am
1.40 miles
17:52 minutes
12:44 avg. pace

August 13, 7:08am
2.73 miles
34:11 minutes
12:31 avg. pace

August 15, 6:36am
2.33 miles
27:38 minutes
11:52 avg. pace (woohoo!)

Hopefully I'll make it out tomorrow morning and I'll definitely do my long run this weekend. I might do 2 more weeks of these distances and then I'll add to it. I'm excited!

And it's not a post without a cute picture of Jack in the jogging stroller!

Running log

I'm going to try to use this blog as more of a running log. I haven't been updating too often and I'm really trying to get out and run more. Now with the RunKeeper app on my phone, I'm able to see exactly how far and fast I'm running. I went for early runs both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday, July 30:
2.21 miles
27:40 minutes
12:32 average pace (minutes/mile)

Sunday, July 31:
2.68 miles
35:49 minutes
13:23 avg. pace

On Sunday, I did the longer run that I thought was 3 miles. Apparently, it's not, but it's a start! Once I get a little more comfortable with that run, I'll increase the distance. I can only do these longer runs on the weekend, because I just don't have the time during the week. Not to mention the fact that it's been way too hot. Once it starts to cool off, I can go back to running the 1.3 miles around the lake after work. For now, I'm happy that I'm out there at all!!

Jack really enjoys going out in the jogging stroller. He's never put up a fuss, but lately he's been getting excited once he knows we're going out. I tell him we're going for a run and once he sees me getting out the stroller, he starts saying "run!". He gets so upset when I leave him inside to put the stroller out and get everything ready. I'm glad he enjoys going running because mama needs it to keep sane! And I'm hoping he'll want to run when he's older too. I want to have a healthy family! :)

Still going

I'm still here and getting out there when I can. Last week it was scorching hot (felt like 115 with code red air quality and heat advisories), so I didn't go out at all. But Saturday morning we were up early, so I took Jack out for a long(ish) run. It was actually my first run since the 5k I did last month, and it was also the longest run I've done on my own since before Jack was born. Granted it was only about 3 miles, but considering my usual run is about 1.3 miles, that's pretty good! There's a route around my neighborhood I've done a few times that is 2 1/2 miles. I went further than that and don't know the exact distance, but it's at least 3 miles and probably more. I had planned to walk some but I ended up running the whole time, including up 5 hills (while pushing the stroller)! I only stopped twice and that was to wait for the walk signal to cross the road. I plan to do this long run again this weekend and I'll track the distance this time.

I haven't run at all this week, but with the lower temps and humidity, I have been walking at work. For 3 days in a row (today included), I've walked a 1.25 mile loop around my building. I now have an app on my phone called Runkeeper which has a built-in GPS and tracks your activity. Each day I've gotten a little faster and can complete the distance in just under 20 minutes. Because I'm in my work clothes, I'm not trying to break any records! I enjoy the fresh air (I hate being inside all day) and breaking a small sweat. It's better than nothing! There's another heat advisory scheduled for tomorrow so I'll probably stay indoors. But it was nice while it lasted!

I also found a couple of kids runs for Jack to do in the fall, as well as a 2-mile family run that I can do while pushing him in the jogger. I'm going to look for more 5k's and hopefully work my way back up to a 10k! I'll post more info in case anyone in the D.C. area is interested.

Happy running (and walking)!

Brain Health Blitz 5k

Last Sunday, on Father's Day, I ran my first solo race in over 2 years. It was awesome! It was also my first 5k of the year (the last one I did was last September). I made that one in under 40 minutes pushing Jack in the stroller. Going in, my only goal was to finish this one in under 40 as well.

It was a great course, going around a lake at one of my favorite shopping centers. Except that we had to go around it 4 times and by the 3rd time around, I was getting tired of the same route! It was mostly flat with one small hill. It wasn't easy, but I ran the whole way and pushed it a little on the last lap.

My official race time is 32:52! Woohoo! There were only 36 people running and it was such a nice, relaxed race, put on by the Alzheimer's Association. I don't think they advertised it really well so not many people knew about it, but it was great. I hope they do it again next year!

Jack and Sidney cheered me on and took some pictures while I ran.

I'm not sure when my next race will be, but I look forward to running much more. I've been running around my neighborhood more and last weekend I ran Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I'd love to run more 5k's and slowly work my way up to longer distances. My ultimate goal is still a half marathon!

Race for the Cure- Team Felicia

On Saturday June 4, 2011, we walked for my coworker Felicia (the one in the pink wig). At just 32, Felicia is now a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in November 2010 and started treatment in December. This past weekend she had a bilateral mastectomy and is expected to make a full recovery. We're glad she was able to walk with us!

We've already started a team for the 2012 walk, this time calling ourselves Banner Companies for the Cure since we all know other women who have survived or are battling breast cancer. I'm happy to be a part of something so important and hope we can make a greater impact in 2012!