Some of the Big Lake Run Club members
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Wednesday Night Run Club
Today I was apprehensive about Run Club. My quads were screaming, my butt was plain old sore. The DOMS had set in big time from all of the squats, lunges, extensions, ham curls I did on Monday. Then add yesterday's track workout and I was nervous.
But I love Wednesday Night Club. It is Ann's birthday today and I had recruited another run to give us a try. I had to show up.
I did, and it went just fine.
5 miles in 39:09. Lots of good friends and good conversation.
There were 4 women running tonight; a record :) Yes, it is just fine to run with the guys each week but it sure is nice when some women show up. I hope we didn't scare them off :) I think they will be back.
But I love Wednesday Night Club. It is Ann's birthday today and I had recruited another run to give us a try. I had to show up.
I did, and it went just fine.
5 miles in 39:09. Lots of good friends and good conversation.
There were 4 women running tonight; a record :) Yes, it is just fine to run with the guys each week but it sure is nice when some women show up. I hope we didn't scare them off :) I think they will be back.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
TGIF
I haven't had to have the thought 'thank god it's Friday' for many weeks. Today I thought that thought over and over again. Back at work for the first week, after having eight weeks off, getting the classes and offices ready for school to open, eek.
Trying to get up before the crack of dawn, run, lift, bike, shower, work, meetings, kids sports, run, bike, shower, lift..whatever and to bed to do it all over again.
This takes some getting used to!
Tonight was a 7.5 mile run with Topaz on the trail. Hot, humid and I was just plain tired. I don't think my body is used to running in the late afternoon. The food that I've been eating all day is jumbling around in my stomach, I pee over and over again because by 330 I've already had 80 ounces of water and coffee and whatever else I may have consumed.
I love my fasted morning runs. No food in the tummy, don't have to worry about what to eat and what not to eat, etc.
I looked at my eating logs for the past 7 days. I consumed an average of 1734 calories which consisted of 38% carbs, 42% protein and 20% fat. I lost .10 of a pound. A great week of maintenance. I'm going to live here for a while, then try to lose another 5 or so...
Trying to get up before the crack of dawn, run, lift, bike, shower, work, meetings, kids sports, run, bike, shower, lift..whatever and to bed to do it all over again.
This takes some getting used to!
Tonight was a 7.5 mile run with Topaz on the trail. Hot, humid and I was just plain tired. I don't think my body is used to running in the late afternoon. The food that I've been eating all day is jumbling around in my stomach, I pee over and over again because by 330 I've already had 80 ounces of water and coffee and whatever else I may have consumed.
I love my fasted morning runs. No food in the tummy, don't have to worry about what to eat and what not to eat, etc.
I looked at my eating logs for the past 7 days. I consumed an average of 1734 calories which consisted of 38% carbs, 42% protein and 20% fat. I lost .10 of a pound. A great week of maintenance. I'm going to live here for a while, then try to lose another 5 or so...
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Run Club
Wednesday means Run Club night.
I always thought the runners at Run Club were a pretty awesome group of guys. I was way too timidated to ever even think of running with them. Or even speaking with them.
After I began running I entered my first race..the Big Lake 8K put on my the Big Lake Run Club. They seemed very nice, so I attended one of their Wednesday night runs.
Oh my gosh. I was ill prepared for them. Two men felt sorry for me and ran with me, at my pace, the whole 5 mile route. I think we ran 11 minute miles and it was pretty much walking for them.
I didn't go back for three years.
Now this group of men have become my very very good friends. They are still faster than I (most of them) but I am no longer intimidated by them. We even get a few women once in a while to join us.
We all begin in the front of the Big Lake High School at 6 PM. We run together for approximately 5 minutes and whooooshhhh off they go! I see their backs for the rest of the route, up the hills, around the lakes, through the town. At the end of the run they all stand in a line and clap and cheer for me.
They are a pretty awesome group.
Tonights run : 5 miles 39:30. A long way from my first Run Club night.
I always thought the runners at Run Club were a pretty awesome group of guys. I was way too timidated to ever even think of running with them. Or even speaking with them.
After I began running I entered my first race..the Big Lake 8K put on my the Big Lake Run Club. They seemed very nice, so I attended one of their Wednesday night runs.
Oh my gosh. I was ill prepared for them. Two men felt sorry for me and ran with me, at my pace, the whole 5 mile route. I think we ran 11 minute miles and it was pretty much walking for them.
I didn't go back for three years.
Now this group of men have become my very very good friends. They are still faster than I (most of them) but I am no longer intimidated by them. We even get a few women once in a while to join us.
We all begin in the front of the Big Lake High School at 6 PM. We run together for approximately 5 minutes and whooooshhhh off they go! I see their backs for the rest of the route, up the hills, around the lakes, through the town. At the end of the run they all stand in a line and clap and cheer for me.
They are a pretty awesome group.
Tonights run : 5 miles 39:30. A long way from my first Run Club night.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Scary Run
I was going to run a 20 mile route on the asphalt today but Topaz looked so sad that I was going to go without him, I changed my mind, grabbed Topaz and headed for the Prairie Drive Trail. This is the 7.5 gravel road loop that goes through the Wildlife Refuge; it is for automobile. They drive through the refuge.
I park my car at the visitor center, fill my water bottles with water and Hammergel Heed, grab my cell phone, Topazs' leash, keys..I'm off.
One mile into my run a guy in a brand new white Mustang goes by..no biggie. There are autos out here now and again. 15 minutes later and he drives by again. This is a 7.5 mile LOOP. Why is he driving by again? Another 15 minutes later, he drives by again and is leering out of the window. SHIT.
I can feel the hair on my arms and neck prickle. I'm listening to my intuition: this isn't good. Am I over-reacting? I call my friend Ann. Are you going to be out here to run? No, her legs are tired and she's still in bed. OK. As I'm running and talking to her I notice a pair of mens' shorts and underware in the middle of the gravel road. What the hell? Oh, maybe Mr. Mustang got out of his car to look at the Eagles and accidently kicked out a change of clothing. Maybe that is why he is driving around and around..looking for his clothes. OK, all is well now. I was over-reacting.
15 minutes later and he drives by again. I always position myself on the side of the road near the passenger side. I don't want to be near the driver. He leans over to the passenger window, rolls it down and stares..and slows down to an impossible pace. I'm at the side of the road and scared shitless. He continues on and I'm a mess.
I call home and the line is busy. I call Ann and the line is busy. Should I call the Sheriff? Am I over-reacting? No one else is driving by..maybe he's casing the place, figuring out where others are so he can get me...oh sheesh.
He drives by again. That's it. What kind of lunatic drives 40 miles in a circle like this. He's purposely scaring me. He's leering. He's awful. I call 911. I explain where I'm running, describe the car, the guy. Deputy tells me he'll send someone out to drive through and see what's going on. I tell him I was going to run 21 miles but will get to my car and get out of there.
My phone rings a few minutes later. It is the deputy. His deputy is a ways away and can't get right out there. He asks me to call him as soon as I get to my car and asks if I've seen Mr. Mustang again. No, I haven't.
OK.
I get to my car and call the deputy. I'm here safe and sound and heading out to another trail. OK. I figure that's it. The end. Who knows if I was over-reacting or not.
I get to the Blue Hill Trail for another 5 mile run to make my 20. As I'm running the phone rings. It's another deputy. He asks where I am, I tell him. He tells me that he spoke with Mr. Mustang. WHAT? You saw him? Yes, he was BACK at the Prairie Drive Trail. Oh my gosh. I would have totally lost it if I had seen him go around again. Mr. Deputy told me that Mr. Mustang has been arrested prior for indecent exposure and trespassing, that he is a 'slime ball'. He told me that he is not a sexual predator. Mr. Deputy asked Mr. Mustang why he was going around and around the Prairie Trail. He told him "I liked to look at her dogs' eyes..and her arms" Oh. My. Gawd. Mr. Deputy told Mr. Mustang to get out of there, and Mr. Deputy followed him to the County Line.
What the hell? So, was I over-reacting? I don't know.
It makes me want to run with a gun holstered around my leg.
I finished my additional 5 miles and was almost expecting to see the Mustang at the trail head.
I didn't. Thank Goodness! Ugh.
So, women runners out there: what do you carry with you while running to make you feel safe? Does anyone carry a knife, gun or weapon of some sort? How sad that we have to worry about ourselves while running by ourselves.
I park my car at the visitor center, fill my water bottles with water and Hammergel Heed, grab my cell phone, Topazs' leash, keys..I'm off.
One mile into my run a guy in a brand new white Mustang goes by..no biggie. There are autos out here now and again. 15 minutes later and he drives by again. This is a 7.5 mile LOOP. Why is he driving by again? Another 15 minutes later, he drives by again and is leering out of the window. SHIT.
I can feel the hair on my arms and neck prickle. I'm listening to my intuition: this isn't good. Am I over-reacting? I call my friend Ann. Are you going to be out here to run? No, her legs are tired and she's still in bed. OK. As I'm running and talking to her I notice a pair of mens' shorts and underware in the middle of the gravel road. What the hell? Oh, maybe Mr. Mustang got out of his car to look at the Eagles and accidently kicked out a change of clothing. Maybe that is why he is driving around and around..looking for his clothes. OK, all is well now. I was over-reacting.
15 minutes later and he drives by again. I always position myself on the side of the road near the passenger side. I don't want to be near the driver. He leans over to the passenger window, rolls it down and stares..and slows down to an impossible pace. I'm at the side of the road and scared shitless. He continues on and I'm a mess.
I call home and the line is busy. I call Ann and the line is busy. Should I call the Sheriff? Am I over-reacting? No one else is driving by..maybe he's casing the place, figuring out where others are so he can get me...oh sheesh.
He drives by again. That's it. What kind of lunatic drives 40 miles in a circle like this. He's purposely scaring me. He's leering. He's awful. I call 911. I explain where I'm running, describe the car, the guy. Deputy tells me he'll send someone out to drive through and see what's going on. I tell him I was going to run 21 miles but will get to my car and get out of there.
My phone rings a few minutes later. It is the deputy. His deputy is a ways away and can't get right out there. He asks me to call him as soon as I get to my car and asks if I've seen Mr. Mustang again. No, I haven't.
OK.
I get to my car and call the deputy. I'm here safe and sound and heading out to another trail. OK. I figure that's it. The end. Who knows if I was over-reacting or not.
I get to the Blue Hill Trail for another 5 mile run to make my 20. As I'm running the phone rings. It's another deputy. He asks where I am, I tell him. He tells me that he spoke with Mr. Mustang. WHAT? You saw him? Yes, he was BACK at the Prairie Drive Trail. Oh my gosh. I would have totally lost it if I had seen him go around again. Mr. Deputy told me that Mr. Mustang has been arrested prior for indecent exposure and trespassing, that he is a 'slime ball'. He told me that he is not a sexual predator. Mr. Deputy asked Mr. Mustang why he was going around and around the Prairie Trail. He told him "I liked to look at her dogs' eyes..and her arms" Oh. My. Gawd. Mr. Deputy told Mr. Mustang to get out of there, and Mr. Deputy followed him to the County Line.
What the hell? So, was I over-reacting? I don't know.
It makes me want to run with a gun holstered around my leg.
I finished my additional 5 miles and was almost expecting to see the Mustang at the trail head.
I didn't. Thank Goodness! Ugh.
So, women runners out there: what do you carry with you while running to make you feel safe? Does anyone carry a knife, gun or weapon of some sort? How sad that we have to worry about ourselves while running by ourselves.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Last day of my Summer Vacation
Today is the last day of my summer vacation. I've had 8 weeks, yup, 8 weeks off. I've enjoyed it very, very much. I enjoyed sleeping in, getting up early, going to the lake, biking with the boys, hitting the beach and getting in excellent workouts.
Over the weekend I'll come up with a scheduled training plan. I've been able to wing it these past two months. I've climbed out of bed, ground up my Caribou French Roast, prepared my french press and relaxed before heading out for my run, biking whenever I feel the urge and hitting the gym whenever I want to.
That will all change for the next 10 months. Back to waking up at the crack of dawn (or before), jumping on the treadmill or running in the dark, running after work in the afternoon and squeezing in weight training during the busy periods at the gym.
I'm ready to go back to work. It's been a nice, lazy, enjoyable summer but I'm ready to go back to a schedule.
I would like to go back to school when the boys do (2 weeks out) but apparantly I need to be there two weeks prior. I'm really not sure why...I would prefer student contact days like some of the other office staff keep.
Today I slept in until 745, drank my coffe and hit the trail for 7.5 miles. Rode my bike for 10 miles and mowed the lawn...the same way I have spent most of the summer.
Back to reality...
Over the weekend I'll come up with a scheduled training plan. I've been able to wing it these past two months. I've climbed out of bed, ground up my Caribou French Roast, prepared my french press and relaxed before heading out for my run, biking whenever I feel the urge and hitting the gym whenever I want to.
That will all change for the next 10 months. Back to waking up at the crack of dawn (or before), jumping on the treadmill or running in the dark, running after work in the afternoon and squeezing in weight training during the busy periods at the gym.
I'm ready to go back to work. It's been a nice, lazy, enjoyable summer but I'm ready to go back to a schedule.
I would like to go back to school when the boys do (2 weeks out) but apparantly I need to be there two weeks prior. I'm really not sure why...I would prefer student contact days like some of the other office staff keep.
Today I slept in until 745, drank my coffe and hit the trail for 7.5 miles. Rode my bike for 10 miles and mowed the lawn...the same way I have spent most of the summer.
Back to reality...
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Sugar Fed Kids
I and the boys went to Valleyfair today. What a blast! I don't care much for the rides but I love the water park. After a few hours on the rides we hit the water park for a few more hours of fun in the sun. The body slides, the body boats, the tubing, the rapids; it's all so much fun!
Ty and Troy had their fill of cotton candy, dunking dots, cheese curds, pretzel and cheese, turtle sundae and french fries. I had a bite of each; that's all one needs!
Once in a while a day of sugar and fat for the boys isn't going to hurt much. As long as it isn't each week; and it isn't.
I was able to sneak out at 530 AM for a 5 mile run on the trail with Topaz and a session of weight training at the gym (chest, bi, tri) before I woke them at 800 so we could be on the road by 9.
What a great way to spend the day.
Ty and Troy had their fill of cotton candy, dunking dots, cheese curds, pretzel and cheese, turtle sundae and french fries. I had a bite of each; that's all one needs!
Once in a while a day of sugar and fat for the boys isn't going to hurt much. As long as it isn't each week; and it isn't.
I was able to sneak out at 530 AM for a 5 mile run on the trail with Topaz and a session of weight training at the gym (chest, bi, tri) before I woke them at 800 so we could be on the road by 9.
What a great way to spend the day.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)