Prediction 5k

After a marathon of driving to my parents' house in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, and then to Boca/Delray and back, I managed to get myself out of bed for the Prediction 5k in Sunrise. I didn't realize that our watches would be confiscated (I was wondering what the point was of predicting our times if we all had wrist hardware). Not only did they not let us wear our watches (cheating issues), but they also took away our tunes (safety issues??)!!! I felt so naked. After many years of running without music and getting weird looks, I received a little iPod Nano Shuffle from my parents as a Christmas gift and have been unable to run without it. My legs were heavy and dead from all the driving the day before and all the walking we did in Boca. I knew I wasn't running my predicted 8:50 pace. I thought I would be lucky to break a 10-min mile--super slow for me in a 5k. I actually did 9:22. Not horrible but pretty slow!

Check out my results:
http://www.splitsecondtiming.com/

sdg

More running, less walking

Do I need to redirect my blog to Buddy's Mama, The Runner???? I've been averaging 20 miles / week, following a 3 week on, 1 week off cycle (3 weeks of 20+ miles, 1 week of low mileage, around 10-12). So far so good. Except for not being able to get out of bed in the morning! Found out my iron is low and that could explain the low energy and sleepiness. I'm also short about 30g of protein every day because running tends to make me despise meat. Not sure how to fix that except to eat a chicken breast every night!

This week was tough....I've only racked up 10 miles this week. I woke up in time for a short run this morning, but my legs had other plans. I'd rather be fresh for my long run on Saturday than trying to meet my 20 mile quota. If I can run a decent 8-miler tomorrow, I'll be happy with an 18-mile week. There's always next week....

sdg

Almost there!

I got another donation -- thanks cousin R! ;)



Click Here to Donate

I've talked myself into the Freedom 4-miler tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it, even though I know I won't be leaving with any hardware (i.e., a medal). I'm so far away from those PRs I sent in my 20's... It'll be a fun event regardless.

sdg

Spider Bite and other news

I've been so tired lately--too tired to blog or twitter or facebook! A couple of weeks ago I had an allergic reaction to what might have been a spider bite. So gross. Steroids and antibiotics and I'm all better now, but my leg was swollen and painfully itchy for a while. Coming back from my parents' house after a week's rest was tough, but I actually started running there on the flat terrain and really enjoyed it. When I came back it was harder to get motivated to run again until I realized that I've probably put on a good 15 pounds from not running, and not all of it muscle. Yikes.

I started run-walking a few weeks ago and have been getting in at least 3 run-walks a week, which was my goal. The other days I'm still walking, trying to rest at least one day (so tough for me). I feel better for the most part except being tired. Time to check those iron levels. Last night I had the worse restless leg-type of sensations in my legs and feet. It was unbearable. Not sure what's going on with that.

I'm looking forward to the 4th of July 5k coming up. I didn't register in case I chicken out. So sad that I went from running a 5k 2 or 3 times a month (and winning at least 3rd or 2nd in my age group!) to this.

sdg

A week of walk-running

I did four run-walks last week -- awesome! I forgot how amazing that "Runner's High" feels. I also forgot how great it feels to be soaking with sweat after a workout. The funny thing is that my body suddenly wants to go back to its semi-vegetarian ways. When I'm lifting weights for a period of time, my body only craves protein. It could also be that I loaded up on Indian food all week at mom & dad's and was sent home with leftovers (thanks Mom!).

In any case, it's been easier to eat better since I started running again, even though I'm not going full-blast. I'm really enjoying walking with run breaks (running with walk breaks was previously unbearable to me, "the runner"). My legs and knees are thanking me too!

I found an easy 10-minute route at home that I can do four or five times to get in a decent workout depending on how much time I have in the morning. I really liked being able to do a 10-minute loop at my parents' house. Knowing I just had four more loops to go made it so easy!

I had another great 50-minute walk-run this morning. I'm slowly turning very brown in the sun but hopefully this week I'll be able to start waking up earlier now that "vacation" is over.

sdg

Walk-Run-ning

I started doing a little light running this past week. It's probably the new Mizunos! It's definitely harder than it used be, but I forgot how awesome that "Runner's High" feels. I'm trying not to do too much, just a few spurts of running during a few of my daily walks. I'd be happy with 3 run-walks a week.

This week I'm down south visiting mom and dad, enjoying the flat terrain. I did a fifty minute run-walk on their treadmill yesterday, with 20 mins of running total.

I went for a nice 50-minute walk this morning. I forgot what it was like to the share the road with Muscovy ducks! Cute but messy!

Shalu

New shoes!

Finally got a new pair of shoes to replace my nearly 10-year-old hanging-by-a-thread pair. Trying Mizuno this time...it was hard to break away from New Balance and Adidas. So far so good. I did notice some shin pain in my right leg yesterday, but it could be that I'm walking a little faster now that I have some spring in my step!

Another great 50-minute walk this morning. It was still foggy from yesterday's thunderstorms so it was nice and cool well until almost 8am.

Yesterday I walked 40 minutes and still didn't break 10,000 steps! Goes to show you how sedentary we are during the day sitting at our desks. If I didn't walk in the a.m., I'd probably never break 5,000!

sdg

Sunrise and Moon

Wonderful walk this morning! Fifty minutes under a breathtaking sunrise. The sun was a big red orb under the morning haze for the longest time. In the southwestern sky, the moon was still bright and almost full. Awesome! Actually, I've had a few great walks since last Thursday. I'm averaging 50 minutes now. I actually walked over 14,000 steps yesterday! Woohoo!

sdg

My friend, the hawk

Saw the red-shouldered hawk again today during my morning walk, sitting on his post near the pond. Twelve hours later, there he was, sitting on the roof of our next door neighbor. I was sitting on my chair in Buddy's nest, looking out the window, and saw Mr. Hawk perched on the roof, cleaning his feathers! Buddy wasn't nearly as impressed and proceeded to enter "torpedo" mode.

Great forty-minute walk...I even saw the little bunny again. I do, however, need to get a new hat as the RCCL one my mom gave me isn't cutting it. Sorry, mom.

sdg

Great walk this morning

I had a lovely 45 minute walk this morning. I love when the fog is just hanging over the "valley" (it's Florida, we don't have real valleys). Coming down off of our hill, you can feel the sharp, cool air as you get into the foggy low areas. The lake was absolutely breathtaking this morning. The fog made it look like the trees we see in the distance were floating in the middle of it. So amazing. I felt for a moment that I was back in Wintergreen, Viriginia. How cool that I get to see this every day!

sdg

Hawks in the mist

Went for a nice walk with Andy last night around the pond. We saw a HUGE owl! So cool! I had a great walk this morning. Lots of fog and a slight mist. The little rabbit I used to see near the gate (and felt sorry for because I thought she was lonely) now has a mate! Bunnies!

I was definitely seeing doubles this morning. Around the pond I saw the hawk that usually perches on top of the big yellow house in the morning. Except this time it was only about two feet away from me! I had to stop to take a better look -- this is as close as I've ever been to it. I watched it preen its feathers for a minute or so. As I went around the pond again I saw another hawk! Amazing. Not sure if they are mates or siblings. I'm going to check Buddy's bird book to find out what kind of hawk it is...

Here's a pic!

Just signed up for the Memory Walk!

I just signed up for the 2009 Memory Walk for the Alzheimer's Association. They're working to find a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia. Dementia is one of the most frightening diseases I've ever come into contact with. I can't imagine slowly losing touch with the present moment and reality, not to mention forgetting my family members even when they are right in front of me.

I set a goal of $250...hopefully I can raise lots of money for both the Memory Walk and the Heart walk. If so, I will raise my goals accordingly (hoping to raise at least $1,000 total).

Check out my donation page HERE.

sdg

Great walk this morning

Went for an awesome walk this morning. Forty minutes and about 5,500 steps. I would have done more but I was hungry for breakfast. An old man riding in his golf cart while "walking" his dog (yes, people do this here!) pulled up right next to me and said, "You know, there's a law in this community that you can't swing your arms more than 11 inches." Eye roll. Yes, I swing my arms and yes, I probably look silly, but it's good exercise so leave me alone. His dog was cute, so no harm done.

The sun felt awesome and I was finally able to walk without a jacket or sweater. Nice! The sandhill cranes were cranky this morning. I heard them but didn't get to see them. Overall another wonderful walk.

sdg

I got the ball rolling

Here's the latest donation thermometer reading! :)



Click Here to Donate

sdg

Reformed Runner

This is my first blog post as a reformed runner! Hill running nearly wrecked my knees and lately I rediscovered walking. I forgot how easy and natural it feels, not to mention that fact that it helped me lose the first 50+ lbs of my 80-lb weight loss nine years ago!!!

My goal is to participate in as many charity walks as I can this year. Join me as I work on my fundraising skills! :) I officially signed up for the American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk in October. Click HERE to visit my site and make a donation.

I have my pedometer (Omron Walking Style -- thanks Dad!) strapped to my waist. I'm trying to hit a minimum of 10,000 steps, 6 days a week. Here we go...

sdg