AK Run for Women

2011 time 1:03:14     place 1163     12:39 average mile
2012 time 57:52       place 1075     11:35 average mile

I was all smiles when I ran under the finish arch and my time was under an hour.  My first two miles were just over 11 minute miles.  And the remaining miles were just over 12 minute miles.  I had no idea I could run that fast.  I knew I had been running faster than I'd ever run before, but this.. this was a very pleasant surprise.  I'm not great at timing myself when I'm running out here in the village.   I definitely pushed myself during the race, and abhor running on concrete and pavement but felt really good throughout.  The next day was another story though.  And it was completely worth it.  :)

Courtesy of the AK Run for Women website

Running

Since I've come home from my last work trip to Oregon, I've been running quite a bit.  It's just in my system or something.  It feels so good even though my body is taking a beating.  I got home on Sunday the 6th and was pooped out.  I ran around a bunch that morning getting my stuff that I shipped up from Colorado into a storage unit and doing some last minute stuff before heading to the airport, it didn't help that I stayed up till about 4 in the morning watching Twilight.  Yeah I did.  So when I got home I pooped out and didn't run like I intended to.  I did however run the day before with Chelsea in Anchorage.  She seriously pushed and encouraged it.  We ran two miles in about 26 minutes.  :)  Not too shabby.

Because I didn't run Sunday I decided I was definitely gonna run on Monday.  And because I want to be healthier (and it's a wee bit (not much) warmer) I've taken to walking to and from my house to my mom's house and to work.  It was on one of these walks that my knee decided to freak out on my and start shooting excruciating pain through my body and I couldn't walk for a minute or two.  Needless to say this cancelled my run plans for the evening.  I figured it was a bad idea to run when my knee was all freaking out on me.  Tuesday my knee didn't give me any such problems so I went for a 2 mile run that evening.  Wednesday I went for a 3.5 mile run up the hill and had mom pick me up at the second stop sign.  Thursday was a short fast 1.5 miles and then wine and riding with Miss Tracy.  Friday was a 2.8 mile run and Saturday was a day of rest and being hung over from champagne and wine with Trace to celebrate the glorious graduates of Frank A. Degnan high.  May they go off to college and explore other parts of this world, one little psycho in particular.  :)

Look at this food porn.  Yes.  I say yes to bacon.  Photo courtesy of Michael Kraus

Sunday I had B.L.T's with momma for lunch, brotherman beat me to the punch and called mom to wish her happy mother's day before me.  After a nap and some Big Bang Theory, I headed over to mom's house and made roasted veggies with broiled steak.  We decided dessert was a must so I whipped up some apple crisp and she pulled out some cool whip to thaw.  Delicious, fairly perfect dinner.  Being the good daughter that I am, I even did her dishes.  (Or rather my dishes, since I was the one cooking.)  I digested for a good bit and then went for a 2.8 mile run.  Monday, also known as yesterday, I did a 3.5 mile run in about 45 -50 minutes.  So I think I'm averaging around 13 or 14 minute miles.  Totally okay with me.  Despite all my running, I've been over eating and as a result I've been packing on the pounds.  Not okay with me.  I'm gonna be making some changes starting today.  It's gonna be tough, but I'm ready to take on the challenge.  I don't want to be where I'm at physically or mentally right now.  It's... yucky.  Just not good.  Not sure if I'll run today.  I might just do some good stretching or some ab exercises.  All my weight seems to be gravitating towards my disgusting belly.

Dessert.  Photo by me.

Sunday March 18th, 2012

I ran for a whole whopping 5 minutes.  Pathetic.  BUT at least I got on the treadmill.

1.26 miles
20:04 minutes

15:52 minute miles - ew

What is it about Sundays?

Sundays feel like a good day to run.  And so I end up running on Sunday.  I was hungover on Saturday and therefore lazy.  Sunday I was supposed to head out on the trap line but it was 30 below and like hell I'm bundling up anymore when it's that cold.  The critters don't move, so I'm not gonna.

I felt like increasing my pace a little last night, so I decided to break up my running.  I did two 6 minute runs with a few minutes walk in between.  It felt pretty good to push myself faster and faster as I ran.  I struggled a little though.  My side was hurting towards the end.  My legs were a little sore this morning but not as bad as I thought they would be.  I can't wait until I can run outside.  Changing my pace up is definitely a more exciting run on the treadmill that just the same pace the whole time.  I'm thinking it might be enough to keep me interested on a treadmill to keep up the running through the rest of winter.

1.82 miles
30:01 minutes

16:29 minute miles

Weight: 211

2 days of 1 to 2 foot of powder

'Nuff said.  I didn't run last night.  My body was more sore from riding in powder than it was on Monday or Wednesday after I ran the night before.  My thighs, my arms, my wrists, my butt, my calves.  All over.  It's a heck of a work out trudging through the snow too.  Wading through thigh high snow in full winter gear has you huffin' and puffin' and sweatin' to the oldies.  But we broke trail through the whole trap line and we'll be able to zip through it on Sunday when we check again.

Weight: 211

Every other day

Before I get back into my routine of trying to improve my speed and distance, I'm going to run every other day to get myself back into it.  I'd like to be under an hour for the AK Run for Women this year.  I think that's a reasonable goal.  I have roughly 3 months to make that happen.  Chelsea said she's gonna do the run again this year.  Kaitlin is moving into Anchorage in May so she'll be there too.  I asked her if she wanted to run with us and she said she's up for it!  Saweet.

Yesterday I ran for 10 minutes in between two 10 minute walks.  I pushed myself harder than Sunday and it felt good.  I surprised myself again.  Always a good thing.

1.82 miles
30:20 minutes

16:39 minute miles.  Slightly better.

Weight: 213

The panda runs again.

I finally got back on the treadmill.  Last night I hopped on there with the intention to just walk for a half an hour because I'd been such a little oinker with munchies all weekend.  But 14 minutes into the walk I decided to up the pace and run for a little.  Six minutes cruised by and I could have ran longer, but I didn't want to over tire myself on the first run.  Then I walked for another 10 minues and it felt amazing.  Baby steps.

1.64 miles
30 minutes

18:17 minute miles.  Terrible.  :)  And yet I feel good.

Weight: 211