Hello Sandy!

In case you haven't heard, there is a hurricane hitting the east coast, as well as Ohio.  Yesterday was a run day for me and today was expected to bring worse weather! So naturally I went running yesterday.  :) I can't confirm that today was actually worse but oh well. I picked the trails that I knew to be open and the ones that are most solid.  I got out of work and headed to Chagrin River Park and found an empty, completely empty, parking lot.  As I started on the trail, I saw from a rainy distance large, black moving creatures. I was totally confused but kept moving forward and what did I find???

WILD TURKEYS! Seriously, there were probably 20 of them just hanging out in the rain like any other day. I wasn't sure if they were friendly or not so I slowly approached the group.  I never realized how big they are until I was literally face to face with one.  This fine turkey just didn't feel like getting off the trail and I had running to do so I just kept going and gave him a nod.  I'm 5 foot even and he must have been up to my shoulder.  

I got in a decent run but I will admit that it was a bit creepy.  These trails are well used and so it was odd to be alone.  Part of the trails run along the Chagrin River so I stuck with doing loops on the wooded trails away from the rising river.  The deer, who are normally ambivalent about human presence  were extremely interested in my visit.  There was one in particular that kind of followed me along on the first loop and then hung out on the gravel path, waiting for each of my returns.  

Twice I heard trees crashing down, no doubt taking other trees along.  After the second one fell closely behind me, I headed to the the paved path that borders the parking lot and finished my run.  Over all I had a good run and thoroughly enjoyed my little personal visits with the animals that call this park home. Tomorrow will be another adventure I'm sure, as it hasn't stopped raining since Saturday here so I'm not sure what trails will be open for runs. 

Be safe everyone!

October Training - 10/21/12-10/27/12

This week was a GREAT week of running! The weather was wonderful - super warm and sunny or complete Fall weather, rainy with a chill. Regardless of the day, the trails rocked and I finished strong each time.  Sigh. It was just that good people! :) Saturday I attended an AWESOME Ashtanga class that kicked my ass but was a great compliment to my chilly run. Yoga has helped my running tremendously and I'm so thankful that I now have a strong and consistent practice as I started running again.


10/22/12: 2.29 miles at 15:18 per mile - ECP trail - recovery after YTT weekend
Week 7 Day 1 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 25 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/24/12: 2.34 miles at 14:57 per mile - ECP trail
Week 7 Day 2 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 25 mins, 5 min cooldown


10/25/12: 2.53 miles at 13:50 per mile - CRP gravel - SUMMER RUN! :)
Week 7 Day 3 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 25 mins, 5 min cooldown


10/27/12: 2.67 miles at 14:12 per mile - NCR trail - wet, rainy, chilly, best of all, MUDDY!
Week 8 Day 1 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 28 mins, 5 min cooldown




Total Mileage: 9.83 miles

I only have 5 more runs before the Couch-to-5k is complete!

Running Compromise....Sort of!

Yesterday was day 3 of my October session of Yoga Teacher Training.  Our schedule is pretty intense however, yesterday in addition to our training we did a half mala. I honestly felt a lot better this morning than I expected I would.  Today was a run day, not having run Saturday or Sunday. As I drove into the park, I saw TONS of people on the paved path; it is so nice to see so many people utilizing the parks! I had planned to do an easy run on the paved path because it is rolling and not as challenging as the trail.  But the closer I got to my parking spot, I couldn't help but heed the draw of the trail and the woods.  It wasn't my fastest time on the trails there or my longest but it was probably my best run there yet.  I was stiff and my hamstrings were soooo tired from all the down dogs, etc.  I just took my time and enjoyed my run! It felt amazing and so wonderful to be alone in the woods and running along.  I did what felt right and that was awesome. 

As the leaves were floating down around me on my run, I thought of how competitive I am, even with myself.  I'm always concerned with how fast I went and how far I've gone.  Today I did have a goal in mind; this small bridge.  I didn't make it but I almost made it and it was ok that I didn't.  Today I was kind to myself and enjoyed running and didn't care about anything else except having a great run. Today was different than any other run. EVER. And I loved it. One day of taking it easy and focusing on the experience of running, the beautiful leaves, the smell of wet soil and the sun peeking through the trees was worth more than getting to the bridge or running faster or farther than my last run. 

October Training - 10/14/12-10/20/12

This week has been a craaaaazy one! I literally have had stuff every night and then all weekend I had YTT.  Which is an amazing experience, don't get me wrong, but it is exhausting physically and mentally. I really want to be getting in 4 runs a week but things have been crazy and with YTT this weekend running on Friday and Saturday might be too much. All I can do is play it by how I feel.

The beginning of the week brought back intervals which I enjoyed.  The run on Wednesday was a tough one! Not because of the run itself but because I overdressed AND my asthma was super weird and I was having a hard time keeping a steady comfortable pace that I could breathe at.

10/15/12: 2.36 miles at 14:24 per mile - ECP paved
Week 6 Day 1 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 5 mins, walk for 3 mins, jog for 8 mins, walk for 3 mins, jog for 5 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/17/12: 2.34 miles at 14:15 per mile - ECP paved - rough run!
Week 6 Day 2 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 10 mins, walk for 3 mins, jog for 10 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/19/12: 2.42 miles at 14:27 per mile - CRP gravel - amazing run! Such a beautiful trail with tons of deer munching happily as I ran by. :)
Week 6 Day 3 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 25 mins, 5 min cooldown

Total Mileage: 7.12 miles

October Training - 10/7/12-10/13/12

This week was a bit more challenging than others.  I have been crazy busy since yoga teacher training started and the holidays are upon us which means I need to make jewelry pretty much in every free moment I have. I've been loving the trails and notice that my breathing is better when I maintaining a consistent yoga practice.  I've also noticed that the yoga over the past few years has helped my running tremendously! The thing I need to focus on now is getting enough sleep.  That has always been a challenge for me! Wish me luck! ;)


10/8/12: 2.03 miles at 15:30 per mile - ECP trail, a couple challenging hills
Week 4 Day 3 - 5 min warm up, jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 5 mins, walk for 2.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 5 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/10/12: 1.97 miles at 15:41 per mile - ECP trail, a couple challenging hills
Week 5 Day 1 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 5 mins, walk for 3 mins, jog for 5 mins, walk for 3 mins, jog for 5 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/12/12: 2.08 miles at 14:53 per mile - ECP trail, a couple challenging hills
Week 5 Day 2 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 8 mins, walk for 5 mins, jog for 8 mins, 5 min cooldown


10/13/12: 2.11 at 14:13 per mile - ECP trail, paved; first run without intervals! I did much better than I thought I would but still need to learn how to pace myself.
Week 5 Day 3 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 20 mins, 5 min cooldown

Total Mileage:  8.19

October Training - 10/1/12-10/6/12

With October comes trail running! :) By far my favorite thing - ever! :) I primarily run in the Metropark closest to my house but on the weekends I try to vary it and run some of the amazing trails the area has to offer. My knees were not happy, which made me unhappy because I've NEVER had knee issues; hips yes but knees, never. I went to the chiro and I think it was just overuse so I thought if I hit up the trails the softer surface would let me keep running AND help prepare me better for the trail race in November.

10/2/12: 1.78 miles at 15:43 per mile - ECP trail, a couple challenging hills
Week 3 Day 3 - 5 min warm up, two repetitions of the following: jog for 1.5 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 3 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/4/12: 2.07 miles at 15:14 per mile - ECP trail, a couple challenging hills
Week 4 Day 1 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 5 mins, walk for 2.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, 5 min cooldown

10/6/12: 2.09 miles at 15:04 per mile - NCR trail, rolling (lost my key valet containing my car key BUT found it after retracing my steps!)
Week 4 Day 2 - 5 min warm up,  jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 5 mins, walk for 2.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, 5 min cooldown

Total mileage:  5.94

September Training Log

I'm running again! Well, mostly running. ;) But running nonetheless.

I decided to really test the surgery out and see if I could finally run and not feel like I was going to die from lack of air! So to help me feel more confident and follow through with running I downloaded the active.com Couch-to-5K plan.  (Shush, I also downloaded the 5k-to-10k so I had some follow up after I was done. ;) )

Nothing too special in this post except my training log from September, but it is always nice to dip your toes back in the water. ;) Oh! And I have already picked a race!

9/16/12: 1.87 miles at 16:01 per mile - neighborhood run, sidewalks
Week 1 Day 1 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1 min of jogging and 1.5 mins of walking for 20 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/17/12: 1.86 miles at 16:05 per mile - neighborhood run, sidewalks
Week 1 Day 2 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1 min of jogging and 1.5 mins of walking for 20 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/20/12: 1.92 miles at 15:38 per mile - neighborhood run, sidewalks
Week 1 Day 3 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1 min of jogging and 1.5 mins of walking for 20 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/22/12: 2.08 miles at 14:53 per mile - neighborhood run, sidewalks
Week 2 Day 1 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1.5 mins of jogging and 2 mins of walking for 21 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/24/12: 2.05 miles at 15:07 per mile - neighborhood run, streets, monday after YTT weekend
Week 2 Day 2 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1.5 mins of jogging and 2 mins of walking for 21 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/26/12: 2.00 miles at 15:31 per mile - neighborhood run, streets - knees=ouch!
Week 2 Day 3 - 5 min warm up, alternate 1.5 mins of jogging and 2 mins of walking for 21 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/28/12: 1.75 miles at 15:59 per mile - neighborhood run, streets - knees=ouch!
Week 3 Day 1 - 5 min warm up, two repetitions of the following: jog for 1.5 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 3 mins, 5 min cooldown

9/30/12: 1.80 miles at 15:31 per mile - Beachwood park, paved
Week 3 Day 2 - 5 min warm up, two repetitions of the following: jog for 1.5 mins, walk for 1.5 mins, jog for 3 mins, walk for 3 mins, 5 min cooldown

Total September Miles:  15.33