June 21 - 7.6 miles

After returning from a 12-day European vacation on Wednesday evening I was invited to travel to Beaufort, SC for the weekend. My initial reaction: sounds like fun but I have to get an early-morning distance run in since I'd missed the last two with the girls. So after a late dinner out on Saturday, we got up at 6 a.m. and headed out the door shortly thereafter. I ran and he biked (a true trooper!) since I wasn't familiar with the area. It was warm but mostly shaded and the sun hid behind clouds until near the end. The first mile was hard, and around mile three it got much easier and I upped the pace to around a 10-minute mile. At mile 5.5 a deer darted across the road out of nowhere and startled me. My left IT band began feeling stiff and at 6.75 it threw in the towel. I jogged to the car to hit 7 miles, stretched really well, and then decided it'd be smart to walk for a few - rounding out the distance at 7.6 miles. I knew I should do 10 but since I was easing back into it after 2 weeks I told myself to do at least 6. So I was happy with 7. And even happier with the yummy coffee I had after and the delicious breakfast of real corned beef hash, egg, and grits!

June 18 - 6 miles

Oh, to be back in Florida. Oh, to run in humidity. 80 degrees at 7 a.m. The run went well - met Kelly and did 6 miles with our usual 3:30 to 1 run/walk ratio. It was nice to not be at a high altitude, or be running up hill. IT band felt good, so hopefully it continues to cooperate!

June 16 - 4 miles?

Last day in Germany and the sun was shining through the clouds and the air was crisp when I woke up. I headed up the dreaded hill, mostly walking, and then ventured a new direction at the roundabout. I came across some fun little houses and an elementary school. Every child I passed said hello. Birds were chirping. I jogged down a huge hill then came across a few shops, including a bakery. I walked in, checking out the offerings, and asked the lady if she spoke English. I received a big "No." I then jogged back downhill to get Euros then jogged back uphill and headed towards the bakery on the pretzels I had my eyes set on. I bought two and then jogged back and ate one! Did a few sit-ups, push-ups and squats to finish the routine.

June 12 - 4 miles in Germany!

A few days ago I ran about 3 miles up and down hills on the side of a mountain in Idar Oberstein, Germany. I was out of breath shortly after heading out, realizing that the mix between altitude and steep inclines was not what I was used to running. The weather was nice, high 60s or low 70s I'd guess, with little humidity. Today I ran (and walked) about 4 to 5 miles, up the same hills and down the same hills. I walked down another hill and then trekked back up, which proved to be much harder than it seemed. I did body squats, some lunges, and pushups and sit-ups upon my return.

June 3 - Personal Training Day 31 + 2.5 miles

One mile run warm-up with Blythe and Kelly. Then three sets of:
1. Leg crank - (four exercises w/ 10-lb. ball x 20 apiece)
2. Lat pulldown - 70 lbs. x 15 reps
3. Dumbbell chest press - 20 lbs. x 15-20 reps
4. 1-arm dumbbell row - 20 lbs. x 20 reps
5. Kettleball swings - 25 lbs. x 15 reps
6. Triceps to knee tucks - 20 lbs. x 20 reps
7. Jump rope - 300 times (UGH!)
8. Static lunge to shoulder press w/ 8 lb. weights - 20 each leg
9. Triceps skiers on one leg - 40 lbs. - 20 each leg
10. Run 1/2 mile, second set bike 5 min level 10

I won't lie — the three sets of 300 jump ropes made me utter a few expletives. Cool down 1 mile run. HR to 162.

June 2 - (almost) 7 miles

Ran/walked (3:30 to 1) 5.67 miles in 1:12. It was breezy at 7:40 p.m. Left IT band hurt again but not as bad as Sunday's 10-mile run.

June 1 - Personal Training Day 30 + 2 miles

Had birthday cake at work in the afternoon (no worries, lunch was salad w/ chicken and hard boiled egg whites, kidney beans, mushrooms, green peppers, and soy crisps) and a string cheese as pre-workout snack. Ran 1 mile to warm up with Kelly. Then three sets of 10 exercises:

1. Wall sit 2 minutes 30 seconds
2. Dumbbell chest press - 17.5 lbs x 20 reps
3. Kettlebell swing - 36 (changed to 25 lbs) x 15 reps
4. Hamstring curl - 30 lbs x 25 reps
5. Inner thigh - 80 lbs x 25 reps (was 1/2 step up)
6. Asst. pull up - 90 lbs x 15 reps
7. Deadlift to clean - 30 lb x 15 reps
8. Walking lunge to triceps extension - 10 lb. ball
9. Rear delt fly machine - 30 lbs x 15 reps
10. Dynamax ball crunch w/ 6-lb. ball - 25 reps

Ran 1 mile for cool down. Felt good overall, the extra 30 seconds on the wall sits felt lengthy and I continue to despise kettlebell swings.