Running journal

A few of you that follow my blog have done so from from day 1 in 2007 when I used another site (tp104; Louisa!). In that early blog, I'd post a snippet after every single run.

While blogging I was also keeping a running journal, as the advise I'd read from CES' Coach Jenny Hadfield and her husband/author/fellow penguin runner that a running log/journal was useful in looking back over time to see your success, to gauge what factors made some runs easier/harder than others over time, etc...

In 2006 I used one from their book, but I don't know where it is. In 2007 i used another one geared to women. This one I wrote in the entire year.

And like running, it's not always about running. When you're out on a run, sometimes it's not about the run, but sorting through life: work/love/family/etc. So too is this journal. It's mostly about running...

Click on the pics to enlarge them...

I still remember this run like it was yesterday, as a pace leader for CES Winter Warriors half marathon training program, there had been an icy storm a day or so before. We made our way from Fleet Feet/Piper's Alley over to the lakefront. As we turned onto the path there were loud, audible gasps from our small crew. Ice as far as the eye could see.


Here's another. I had a treadmill at home, but with two little ones (then 1 and 3 years old) it was still hard to get runs in without disruptions. And then there was this other "child". I look back at this and it brings back bad memories that I'd completely forgotten all about. But at the same time makes me glad I left. What took me so long?!?!?




And here I am trying out a Garmin. Ha! (Who knew 6 years later I'd be using my phone with equal accuracy. AND music, all in one.?!) and Lou, remember that chick Rebecca who would always wear her headphones and go ahead of us, and we'd have to chase her non-paying-attention self down? Hahaha! (I also have little food references here, too.)



I generally have blogged about my long runs but have nixed a running log for quite some time. I'm re-thinking and may bring this practice back. It's inspirational and also an entertaining window to my past.

Just thinking out loud. Do you journal?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Positive Vibes

So I MEANT to write this last Friday when I was all on-top-of-the-world and stuff. :( I mean, I'm fine now, but feeling a little less than 100%. Sore throat, tired, et al. Anyhoo, so all last week I was jam-packed with lots to do, especially mid-week, where Tuesday going into Wednesday's to-do list looked like this:

-Finish presentation for big meeting on Wednesday
-Figure out what clothes the girls will wear for their school pictures
-Finish draft plan and email to client (40 pages)
-Exercise on Tuesday and stay on points
-Argue with girls about what clothes to wear for their school pictures
-Get girls up extra early to comb their long curly tresses
-DO presentation on Wednesday, but not before RACING there in fear of being late
-Continue finishing draft plan and email to client
-Stay on points even though I'd much rather be at my desk eating a box of crackers and sweets while working.
-Somehow fit in exercise Wednesday night, though exhausted. (which I did. from 11pm til just after midnight on the treadmill. File that under 1001 Reasons to Have a Treadmill.)
-Worry about this weekend. Should I weigh-in BEFORE I head off to NYC or while I'm there? Early weigh-in means only 6 days...Weighing in there is a hassle and time consuming, given I'm only there 48 hours.

BLAH BLAH BLAH, cut to the chase, RESULTS:
-Got all my work done
-Stayed on points even while stressing out at work
-Exercised each day that I aimed to at the beginning of the week
-LOST 2.8 pounds!!!

VERDICT STILL OUT:
-Whether the girls will have great school pics this year.

But wait! There's more!
So by weighing in Friday morning before my flight, I had to go to a different location. I opted for one on the north side. As I'm walking into the building, I almost got run over by some chick leaving the parking garage. (ok, not really, but we'll write it this way in the script for the movie version.) Then I see the Michigan State plates and it's MEG!!!! My running buddy Meg. I texted her as I was hurrying into the building and we chatted via text. Of course she texted only at stoplights.

So I'm in line, scoping out the unfamiliar new location (I liked it) and just as I'm about to meet my maker at the scale, someone's a-calling me. It's LOU!!!! My other running buddy (and running buddy of Meg, too.) Um...it just occurred to me. We're all friends now. Maybe I should drop the "running buddy" moniker. Anyway...so I weigh in, hooray, 2.8 down. And then I wait for Lou who is looking all fabulous and drawing stares of people who are wondering "what is SHE doing here?" So she weighs in. And. Ok, I can tell, she's had enough time to tell people so that I'm not all like taking away her celebratory moment...but she didn't make goal this week. She made goal for 6 WEEKS STRAIGHT, meaning she made "lifetime." In other words, she met her weight loss goal and has show she's hot shit and can keep it off. HOOOOOOOORAY! And it was incredibly inspiring to see her achieve that! So I was super glad to have made the decision to go to that particular location instead of my usual one. And strange that it happened without any planning amongst us. I don't think either of them normally go to WW at that time, either.

Anyway...until next time, friends.

The 20 Mile Run...in years past.

So I checked out my solo 20 mile run in 2008, prior to running Cincy, and the one in 2007 when I ran the CARA Ready to Run 20-miler, just prior to the history-making Chicago "Heat Wave" Marathon.

I love blogging about running. It's cool to be able to look at this kinda stuff.

Awwww....

Just reminiscing....

Look at the comments. Wow, RBR! Your first 14-miler!

And Lou? I miss those days, Celia telling us everything we needed to know. Sigh. We were so young...so new. So "pre-2007 Chicago Marathon"-jaded. LOL.