Day 26

Next to last run, before I complete my training program.  Now I'll be on the lookout for a new program.  I think that I want to build up my speed, but I'm not totally sure.  I also have been working on a drumline t-shirt, and here is the concept that I created!

Hopefully, that doesn't go through any anti-aliasing when you blow it up to see it.  Totally ruins the effect.  : )  The back is all 5x5 pixel lettering that lists all of the kids.  I had to do all of this pixel by pixel.  Kids loved how it turned out.  I know a couple of art ppl read this...any suggestions?

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
30 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 26:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=296568

Total distance: 2.81 miles (.29 short of a 5k)
Total time: 40 minutes

Current weight: 218 lbs (lost 2 lbs)
Walk pace: 16:42 /mi
Run pace: 13:25 /mi (29 seconds faster)

A very easy run.  I'm looking forward to training myself to run a touch faster.  This has gotten so easy!  The real challenge is going to be making the hour time block to devote to getting ready, running, and showering during the school year.

Day 26 complete!

Day 25

I went back and did the last day of Week 8 for this run, since I skipped it in Colorado.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 25:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=295600

Total distance: 2.58 miles
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 220 lbs
Walk pace: 16:39 /mi
Run pace: 13:54 /mi

I wish I could show you what my pace looked like!  According to my Nike+ GPS app, I maintained a 12:30 /mi pace for my run...the entire time!  It showed my walking as a Yellow level pace and my running as a Green level pace.  Usually you can see my pace flucuating up and down, but this time, my run was all green!  I could maintain talking while running, and it would have been no problem.  I'll begin to slowly pick up the pace, but not too much, and not too quickly.

Day 25 complete!

RMNP Hiking - Flattop Mountain

July 14, 2011

We hiked up to Flattop Mountain on Thursday.  A strenuous hike, but entirely worth the effort!  8.60 miles round trip. According to the books, it is 8.8, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped! Burned over 1200 calories on this hike.  3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours back down.  Awesome!

View from Flattop Mountain

RMNP Hiking - The Loch

July 13, 2011

We hiked Glacier Gorge to The Loch on Wednesday.  Little bit harder hike, but still awesome.  5.60 miles round trip. According to the books, it is 6.6, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped! Burned over 800 calories on this hike.  3.5 hour hike.

The Loch

RMNP Hiking - Emerald Lake

July 11, 2011

We hiked Bear Lake to Emerald Lake on Monday.  Great view and hike.  3.30 miles round trip.  According to the books, it is 3.5, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped!  Burned over 500 calories on this hike.  2.5 hour hike.

Nymph Lake

Dream Lake

Emerald Lake

Day 24

July 10, 2011

Morning run in wonderful Estes Park, CO.  We were staying at the YMCA of the Rockies and I ran around the camp.  OMG, HILLS!  Everyone told me to watch out for having trouble breathing.  Let me dispel the myths now, breathing was not the problem!  It was the hills that go FOREVER.  : )  I accidentally ran week 9, day 1 instead of week 8, day 3.  Oops!

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
30 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 24:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=295054

Total distance: 2.5 miles
Total time: 40 minutes

Current weight: Unknown (No scale in the cabin)
Walk pace: 16:02 /mi
Run pace: 15:43 /mi

This was a hard run, but I am proud of myself for getting up and doing it, even though I am in Estes Park, CO, on vacation!

Day 24 complete!

Day 23

Morning run.  Very cloudy and cool today!  Slow and steady wins the race

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 23:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=291564

Total distance: 2.78 miles (.8 more than last run)
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 220.0 (or 219.5)
Walk pace: 16:14 /mi (:01 seconds slower)
Run pace: 12:40 /mi (:53 seconds faster)

Today felt great.  My shins are not bothering me any more.  Never had trouble breathing.  I love that I have found a very consistent walk pace.  I can't wait till I find my run pace like that!  I'm so close to running a 5K!  My next run is going to be in Colorado, but I would still love to improve my distance slightly for it.  Here's hoping!

Day 23 complete!

Day 22

Morning run.  Nice and cloudy!  3 minutes longer, but I ran much slower at the start so that I could keep a more consistent speed.  I still sprinted the last 2 minutes at about a 8.5 min/mi pace.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 22:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290878

Total distance: 2.70 miles (.9 less than last run)
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 222.5
Walk pace: 16:13 /mi (:13 seconds slower)
Run pace: 13:33 /mi (1:37 seconds slower)

Walk pace slower.
Run pace a lot slower.
3 minutes longer, to go the same distance.

This must be a resting day for me, but that doesn't make it any better.  I would rather run faster at the beginning for better results, and actually feel tired, than what I did today.

Day 22 complete!

Day 21

Katie ran with me tonight.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 21:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290455

Total distance: 2.79 miles (.19 more than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 222.5
Walk pace: 16:00 /mi (:18 seconds faster)
Run pace: 11:56 /mi (:24 seconds faster)

Walk pace faster!  : )
Run pace a lot faster!  : )
Longest distance traveled in a workout!  : )

Check this out:
Run pace for Mile 1 - 12:17 min/mi  <---------Good
Run pace for Mile 2 - 11:35 min/mi  <---------BETTER!

I freakin' knocked this one out of the park.  On cloud 9, but man does my body HATE me right now!

Day 21 complete!

Day 20

To Recap:
49 days since I began running.  The furthest that I have run without stopping is about 2 miles.  I could go longer.  25 days and 7.5 lbs since I began really watching what I ate.  If I did a 5k tomorrow, I would be able to do it in around 35 minutes.  I would say that overall, I'm very proud of my progress.  This post's run is from Saturday, July 2.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day  20:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290298

Total distance: 2.60 miles (.13 less than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 224.5
Walk pace: 16:18 /mi (1:08 seconds slower)
Run pace: 12:20 /mi (2 seconds faster)

Note to self....don't tell C25K app that you are done when there is 5 seconds left!  It thinks you are a quitter!!!  Dumb.  Luckily, it did save all my info.  It just didn't complete that day with a green dot, and darn it, I want my green dot!
Took Katie's water belt today.  Don't think I really need that yet.  Wore my perscription sunglasses (cool) and they worked great.

Day 20 complete!