Another good long run

I wanted to get one more good long run in before the 1/2 marathon next week, just to make sure I'm up to it. It was a beautiful morning for a run -- cool, not too humid. I started out shortly after 6:00 a.m., so it was still dark. I started with the usual morning route - through town, Lowe's parking lot, the Mall parking lot, and then back through town. I went out Jefferson, but this time I kept on going past the Baptist Church. Instead of going all the way to Watson Road, I decided take a left and go down Carter road, past the new elementary school. I ran all the way to 15 (at least I think that's the road), and then back, finishing with the Ginter Road loop (Carter technically becomes Ginter once you cross Jefferson - right is Ginter, left is Carter), the Riverside loop, and, of course, the sprint up the hill by my house.

I got to see the sun come up over the river again. That is always a beautiful sight. I saw several people out walking, and even a few runners. As I was crossing the bridge on Jefferson on my way back to Riverside, I looked down towards the river and saw a deer in the field with her two fawns, grazing on the grass. The only other wildlife I saw was a rabbit here or there.

It was a nice run, and I feel pretty good. Barring any injuries or me doing something stupid like tripping this week, I believe I'll be ready for the 1/2 Marathon on September 7th. I ended up with 11.09 miles this morning.

Gotta run ...

4:15 a.m. run

I had to make an early, early morning run today. Now that the kids are back in school, if I don't make it early, I'll miss my spot for taking a shower, and that certainly would not be good! I'm glad I signed up for a race to keep myself motivated.

So, I started out early this morning, while most of the town was still asleep. It was a nice, cool morning. I thought I felt a few sprinkles along the way, but it was hard to tell if it was rain or just humidity in the air.

I did pretty much the usual route - through town, around the Lowe's parking lot, the Mall parking lot, back through town. But, I didn't go all the way to the Baptist church. I got across the bridge and then realized just how dark it was, even with my hat with the lights in it -- once past the bridge there were no street lights. And, it was too early for the sun to come up. So, I turned around and finished with the Riverside loop and the sprint up the hill by my house.

I ended up with 6.52 miles. And now I feel ready to take on the challenges of the day. It will be a long day, ending with a soccer game tonight.

Keep on running ...

Evening Run

I really didn't feel like running this evening. But, I didn't run Monday morning because I was too tired from our Sunday trip to visit Earl at Miami University, and I didn't run this morning because I had a migraine. I didn't plan to run tomorrow morning because it is the first day of school for Chris and Kate. Since I am signed up to run a 1/2 marathon in less than two weeks, I knew I absolutely HAD to get a run in somewhere.

I dropped Chris and Kate off at the High School to get on the bus to the soccer game, then came home and got ready to run. I almost didn't go, then I talked myself into it. I just got started when Curt called, so I almost turned around. But I reminded myself of the race coming up. About a mile into it Earl called for some laundry tutoring, but by that point I figured I couldn't turn around.

I'm glad I kept on with the run. After a few miles I started feeling better physically and emotionally. I may have actually run off the remains of today's migraine; only time will tell on that one! I ran the back way to the high school, out to Watson Road, back to the Ginter Road loop, the Riverside loop, and TWO sprints up the hill by my house. I ended up with 8.11 miles -- not bad for a run I didn't want to do! Of course, now I'm tired, and I have to stay awake to pick up Chris and Kate when they get home from the soccer game. I guess if I don't show up they'll call me!

Keep on running ...

Sunday Morning

It was about 70 degrees when I started my run today. About a block into the run, a gentle rain started to fall. I was hoping for more but, alas, it stopped after about 2 minutes.

I wanted to do a medium run today. I ran the front loop to the high school, a little past Ginter road, then did the usual Ginter Road loop, Riverside loop, and the sprint up the hill by my house. Along the way I saw several people on bicycles, two runners, and two or three walkers. It was a nice morning for a run.

As I was at the furthest point away from home in my run, my legs started to bother me. It was how I expected to feel yesterday, the day after the long run. Apparently there is a day delay! Anyway, I was able to keep running with just a few walk breaks. When I "got into the groove", I glanced down at my Garmin and noticed my pace is faster than last week. I think for the next two weeks I'm going to try to wear the heart rate monitor and see how my heart rate is doing.

I ended up with 6.53 miles. We are off to Oxford to visit Earl for his 18th birthday, so my legs will probably stiffen up on the drive.

Short Run/Short Post

Since yesterday was my first long run in a while, I knew today should be a short run. I was surprised at how well I felt, though. I wanted to run longer, but I have a tendency to over-train right before a race and it seems like I always end up with some sort of injury or soreness. So, today I did the back way to the high school and then back to the Riverside loop, ending, as usual, with the sprint up the hill. I ended up with 4.25 miles. I felt great when I was finished.

First long run in a while

It was warm and humid this morning compared to this past week -- about 73 degrees by the time I started my run. I am on vacation today, so I started a little later, but it was still dark outside.

I did the usual run through town, Lowe's parking lot, Mall parking lot, back through town -- but then I added the Ginter Road loop, finished with the Riverside Loop and a sprint up the hill by my house.

I have decided to sign up for a 1/2 marathon in Cleveland on September 7th -- just over two weeks away. I wanted to see if I could survive a relatively long run before I sent my money off. I ended up this morning with 10 miles. I've read that if you can do a 10-mile training run, you should have no problem with a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles). So, I think I'm set! Now, later today if I have trouble walking, we'll see if I'm still as confident.

I'm going to stick to my shorter runs during the week (well, 5-7 miles), and try another long run next weekend. I'm now very carefully watching what I eat to see if I can drop a few pounds before the race without compromising my nutrition. I've noticed my best running is at a weight just a few pounds under where I am now. So, there may be some "cranky" blogs as I try to eat well while still going to soccer games, football games, etc. -- stadium food is not the healthiest food to eat!

Gotta run ...

Another Morning Run

It was another early morning run today. The nights are getting cool, so the morning weather has been perfect for running.

I went the usual route in the dark -- through town, Lowe's, the Mall, back through town, etc., ending with the Riverside loop and the sprint up the hill. There was not much wildlife that I could see, but then again it was still dark outside. I ended up with just over 7 miles.

I am thinking about running a 1/2 marathon in early September, so I need to determine if I will be able to go the distance. I haven't had a good long run in quite a while. I'm going to try for a 10-12 mile over the weekend, and then decide about the 1/2 marathon. I do better with my running program if I have a race to look forward to, but this one is a little close.

Happy running :)

Monday Morning

I went for another early morning run today. It was the usual dark run -- through town, out to Lowe's, the mall, back through town. I didn't go all the way out to the Baptist Church, but I finished with the Riverside Loop and the sprint up the hill. That was about 6 miles.

Then, I woke up Christopher and he finished a run with me. He is trying to get back in better shape, and running is one of the best ways. We ran about a mile, so in total I ran about 7 miles.

I feel a little tired this morning, but that's probably because it's Monday. And, it's the start of a busy week!

Rocky River Run

We are in Rocky River this morning. I went on a fantastic run. It was short (4 miles) but beautiful. When I get back home I will add some pictures, if the pictures I took with my cell phone turn out.

UPDATE 08/17/2008 - I added two pictures I took with my cell phone during this run.

I went along some streets with beautiful houses and along the lake. I ran through the park a little bit and went to the waters edge. What a sight -- the sun reflecting on the water. The run back was a little tougher. I had not realized I was running slightly downhill on the way to the park, so it was almost all uphill on the way back. Whew!

What a great way to start a Saturday morning.

Another Early Morning Run

This will be short as we are leaving for Cleveland this morning and I have lots to do yet.

It was another nice, cool morning. There was a bit of mist in the air; probably humidity from the rain last night.

I went pretty much the usual morning route -- through town and back, out Jefferson, the Riverside loop, and one loop up the hill. I ended up with 6.88 miles. I was a little surprised, because I thought I was running a little shorter route this morning.

All in all it was a good run. I feel more tired this morning, but I'll be sitting in the van for a long ride, so my legs can rest!

Another Dark Morning Run

I started shortly after 5:00 a.m. today, so it was still dark outside. It was a nice, cool morning. I did the usual run through town, and around the Lowe's parking lot. I decided to cross the street and run around the Wal Mart/Mall parking lot. Then it was back through town, Jefferson to the Baptist Church, then the Riverside loop, and one and one-half of the hill loop by my house (I was trying to hit 7 miles). I ended up with 7.12 miles.

Since it was difficult on Tuesday to see the sidewalk at times, today I wore a hat that has some little lights on it. I didn't turn it on until I was on Jefferson. It did help me see the sidewalk, so I felt better about not tripping on something!

For the first time I felt a little uncomfortable running by myself. As I was running up past the college, someone hollered and whistled at me. I chose to ignore it, but I was a little nervous when I came back by the college. I didn't see nor hear anyone at that time, however. It is reassuring that I usually see a city police cruiser parked somewhere along my running route. Usually it is by the stores across from the mall. Today I saw it on Jefferson by the florist.

That's it for now. I hope to get a run in tomorrow morning.

Running in the Morning Darkness

I didn't run on Monday, and my mood was definitely affected. So, I knew I needed to run today. There are many activities going on before and after work, so an early morning run was the only way to get it done.

I took off before 5:00 a.m. this morning. It was a pleasant, cool, morning, but DARK. I ran through town and almost to Lowe's, then decided that parking lot was a little too dark this morning. So, I crossed the street and ran through the mall parking lot a bit. Then I ran back through town. As I was running down Jefferson to do the loop to the Baptist Church, I realized just how dark it still was outside. There are not many streetlights, well at least not many that are working. I couldn't really see the sidewalks. As cars would pass by, I could see the sidewalk because of the headlights. I'd try to memorize what I could see (cracks, bumps, raised parts) so I could continue running until the next car came along. It certainly was a brain exercise, too early in the morning! It was still dark as I was on my way back from the Baptist church, but the sun was starting to come up. I finished the Riverside Loop and the sprint up the hill by my house with enough daylight to see.


It was not my best run, but not a bad one. I ended up with 6.43 miles.

Sunday Morning

In keeping with my "needing to run everyday" philosophy, off I went this morning on a planned short run. It was another beautiful morning. It was cool, sunny, not too humid -- great weather. I went the usual back way to Ginter Road , the Riverside loop, with a little extra at the end to reach 6 miles (actually 6.05). I really was going to make it a shorter tun, but it was just too nice outside. I also had put some new music on my Ipod and I was trying to get to it (on shuffle).

I believe my mood is better with the 6+ miles, anyway. I was sore after yesterday's run, but today I feel good physically. I need to start doing some strength training/pilates/etc, but right now it is difficult to find the time. Once the kids are back in school I can do this during my lunch, since I work from home.

Up, up and away ...

I didn't see any wildlife on my run this morning. However, I did see a site I've never seen before while running -- a bunch of hot air balloons taking off! By the time they finished, there were 6 or 7 in the sky. I saw them go up one by one. I tried to take some pictures with my cell phone, but they didn't turn out very well. As I got further out in the country I saw a couple stopped by the side of the road in a pickup with a trailer behind them. They told me the balloons were doing some sort of target competition.

It was a beautiful morning for a run. It was around 60 degrees when I started out. I went the back loop past the high school, and even past Watson Road. I came back the Ginter Road loop, and as always finished with the Riverside loop and the sprint up the hill. I ended up with 8.3 miles. I'm trying to gradually increase my weekend runs, and get at least one long run in. I don't know how long before I am back to those 12 mile runs on the weekends. The problem is that the weather will change all too soon. I am not looking forward to when I have to go back on the treadmill. I can handle shorter runs on that, but not a long run. I've got some cold weather running gear, and I may have to get more for those weekend runs.

I have figured out that I really need to run every day; otherwise my mood deteriates. I didn't run on Friday this week, and felt blah all day. So, unless there is some compelling reason, I will try even harder to get up every morning to run. The children start school soon, so the afternoons/evenings quickly fill with activities. I find that if I don't make time for a run first thing in the morning, it often does not happen!

That's all for now.

Sunrise on the River

I went for a run this morning after working most of the night. I went the usual morning route -- out to Lowe's, around the parking lot, back through town, out to the Baptist Church, Riverside loop - I always finish with the Riverside loop and end with a sprint up the hill by my house.

As I ran across one of the bridges, the sun was starting to come up. What a beautiful site -- the sunrise reflecting on the river. I should have taken a picture with my cell, but I had a good pace going and didn't want to stop. But, I'll carry the picture in my head today. So, when things get stressful or I start feeling a little depressed, I'll try to remember that site.

Anyway, I ended up with 6.78 miles. I think I'm getting faster -- I run about the same amount of time, but I keep having to add an extra block or extra loop (today it was an extra loop around the Lowe's parking lot) to get that time in.

I'm not sure if I will get up to run tomorrow -- with little sleep last night and no time for a nap today, I may need to just sleep in!

Gotta keep on running ...

Watching the sun come up over a sleepy little town ...

It was another great morning for a run. I almost didn't get up, then I figured I'd better, since I missed yesterday. I'm glad I kicked myself out of bed. It was cool, but still quite humid. I ran to the Lowe's parking lot and back through town, out to the Baptist Church and finished with the Riverside Loop.

It was dark when I started out, but the sun was coming up. The traffic was already starting to pick up when I started off. I do have one "pet peeve" -- why don't drivers respect the marked crosswalks? I will have the "walk" signal, but have to either swing way out into the road or cut between cars to cross, and neither is a safe thing to do, especially when it is not completely light outside! Drivers need to realize the marked crosswalk is there for a reason. This morning it seemed like this happened to me at every street I crossed. And these weren't even cars that were inching up to see to turn right on red. Oh well. That's just another thing to deal with on the run. That's why I prefer to run more in the countryside, but I don't do that when it's not light outside.

Riverside Park was beautiful this morning with the heavy mist rising as I ran by. If I'd had more time, I would have run through the park itself to get the feeling of running through the clouds -- the mist was that thick.

I ended up with 6.68 miles. I will try to get up tomorrow morning for another run, but it may be a long night at work tonight ...

Monday Morning Run

We are starting to get into our "busy" time (even though it seems it is always busy), so I have decided I'm going to try to get up in the mornings to run. There are just too many things going on in the evenings. Eventually I may have to get on the treadmill in the mornings if it gets too dark.

This morning I ran (in the dark) through town and up to Lowe's. Then I ran back through town. It was a little disconcerting at some points because not all the street lights are working. After I ran through town, it was starting to get light, so I ran out Jefferson to the Baptist Church, and finished with the Riverside Loop. I didn't see any wildlife this morning except for some domestic cats. It was probably too early for the deer to be out and about!

I ended up with 6.20 miles, not bad for an early morning run. Now if I only had time for a nap ...

Beautiful Morning

It is a beautiful Saturday morning, and a good morning for running. I started around 7:00, before it started getting too warm. I went the usual back way to Ginter Road loop/Riverside Loop. I took an extra loop at the end -- a short one -- trying to get a little more mileage in. I ended up with 5.95 miles.

I didn't see much wildlife except for the occasional rabbit or cat. I didn't even see any other runners/walkers, which is unusual for a Saturday morning. I think many people are on vacation this week -- trying to get the last summer vacation in before school starts. Maybe next year we will get a vacation in -- probably a race somewhere!

Friday Morning Run

I haven't gone for a run in a couple of days, but I have a good excuse. On Wednesday, I took my daughter and her friend to the Vans Warped Tour in Cincinnati. We left around 6:30 a.m. and got home well after midnight.

But, I went for a run this morning with my friend (same one from Tuesday). We were able to get about 5.17 miles in before work this morning. It was a pretty good run. There was nothing really exciting about the run. It's a good thing I didn't wait until this afternoon -- we were hit with thunderstorms.

Maybe I'll get a couple of good runs in this weekend.