August 31 - 5 + 3 = 8 miles

Got to the gym early this morning, and started on the treadmill about 10 minutes before Lisa, who was joining me. Wore the Etonic Prayas instead of the new Brooks. The first mile was tough and very humid. Left side of upper chest was hurting, and felt heavy. Continued on. Ran to two miles, then walked about 1 minute every 5 minutes. Three miles. Chest still having pains. Four miles. Katrine then hopped on a nearby treadmill and it was great to see her at this point. Lisa was doing 6. I aimed for 5, and survived. Very tough run overall - probably one of my worst. Legs felt okay. HR was high throughout, about 160, upwards to 166. Ran slightly slower than usual, 5.8 to 6.0. Stretched well after and played two games of 3-point knockout with Chris and Curry. After work it seemed less humid out (45%, 87 degrees "feels like" 90) so I laced up the Brooks this time and set out with the IT band strap on my right leg instead of left, as just above my knee cap was hurting a bit. It slid off by the half-mile mark. I continued on, running 3 miles (stopping twice to walk) in 29 minutes. I felt good, chest didn't hurt and legs felt heavy but decent.

August 29 - 5 miles (walked)

Alarm was set for 4:55 a.m., just in case I felt like getting up to run 6 miles with the group. Technically I had already completed the 6 yesterday so I could sleep in. I went to bed at 12:45, which wouldn't give me too many hours of sleep. Somehow, someway, I woke up on my own at 4:50 a.m. - 5 minutes pre-alarm. I made the executive decision to go back to sleep. I got up around 9 then went for a 5-mile walk in 1:17. I'm not certain I like the new shoes (Brooks Glycerin 7) - my right leg on the front, near the shin, is bothering me.

August 28 - 6 miles

I felt good and decided to aim for 6 on the treadmill. My favorite treadmill has finally been fixed and was open. The first mile was tough. By mile 3 I felt better. My HR was low overall but both knees were bothering me a little. I was staying around 6 mph. I stopped to walk after mile 1 and 2. I stretched, and rubbed my right leg, to the right of my shin. By mile 4 I felt better. Mile 5 came around and I felt a little hungry but figured I could make it to 6. I did, and then stretched well afterwards. My HR wasn't too high but my legs felt a little heavy overall.

August 27 - 5 (humid) miles

I couldn't get up this morning. Snooze x 8. I finally dragged myself to the gym (late) and managed 1 mile on the treadmill and then got off and attempted the elliptical which bored me after 3 minutes. Did the bike successfully for 10 minutes. Chatted with Lisa, who has also had a tough time this week (it must be in the air?). Then talked to Katrine, who is competing in a huge triathalon this weekend. Came home, feeling highly unsatisfied with my brief and uneventful gym session and attempted a jog in the uber-humid Florida morning. Made it 1.5 miles and quit. Showered and went to work. After work I had a sand volleyball game (we won 2-0, remaining undefeated at 4-0) and then came home and under the overcast, humid skies, jogged 3.5 miles to total 5 miles for the day in 51:30. Ran into neighbor Nathalie, who is training with the Galloway program this year, and she suggested I try pilates to help strengthen my IT band. Perhaps that's something new to add to my list!

August 24 - 5 mile (walk)

My legs felt exceptionally heavy for a Monday morning, so at the gym I did 15 minutes on the elliptical (brutal! boring!) and then walked uphill on the treadmill for 10 minutes, then finished with 10 minutes on the bike. (just as boring) I stretched well and headed on my way. After work I walked five miles in 76 minutes.

August 23 - 5 miles (3 run/2 walk)

I know, I know...I probably should rest after a 10-miler but the weather was great Sunday morning so I set out in my new Brooks Glycerin 7's for a test run. It was cloudy and somewhat cool (relatively speaking, of course). I ran 3 miles, and at times was at 8:30 pace. I stopped to walk four times. I was happy to finish 3.1 miles in 29 minutes. Then walked two miles since the sun came out towards the end of my run.

August 22 - 10 MILES - DOUBLE DIGITS AGAIN!

Crystal, Kristie, Caron, Sonya

Finally, I believe running "success" is back in the air. Looking back through my blog postings, I realized I hadn't done a double digit run since May 31! The last time I ran 9 I was hurting at mile 7.5. Today I didn't "hurt" at all. After toast with peanut butter, I met about 11 people for a 5:30 a.m. 6-mile run through downtown over both bridges (it had been awhile) and it went surprisingly well. We did 3:1 run/walk ratios and about a 9:40 pace. I ran up and over the first with ease. The pace of the group picked up by the time we crossed the larger bridge but I was still okay. We then did three miles with the Galloway group, and then I ran one more with Crystal, to round it out at ten. I wore my IT strap the entire way, adding a layer of prewrap underneath to attempt to keep it from slipping. It wasn't as hot or humid as last Saturday, thankfully. I am crossing my fingers for continued success and recovery...

August 19 - 3.1 miles

I had a breakfast to attend this morning, meaning not enough time for the gym. After work, my team won its second intramural sand volleyball match. I was already sweaty and decided to head out for a 2 to 3 mile run. I walked about 4 minutes total, finishing 3.1 miles in 29:46. I was up to 8:30 pace at some points and I'm not sure how, as I wasn't trying to run fast. Most of the run was around 9 to 9:15 pace. I felt good, and it was very humid - 77% and 87 degrees.

August 18 - 5 + 3 = 8 miles

Had a late dinner last night with dad (in town from CA) at Carabba's - mussels, bread w/ olive oil, and a big salad with shrimp and scallops. Ran five miles on the treadmill and the first one didn't feel great but by mile 2 I felt fine. My new IT strap kept sliding down since I was sweating, which was annoying, but hopefully I can figure out how to make it stay in place. I ran a mile walked a minute, completing 5 miles in 50:40. I got up to 6.5 mph at the end, and my HR hovered around 155-165 for most of the run. I did arms and back afterwards, and made sure to stretch throroughly.

After work I needed some fresh air so I walked to the dumpster (quarter mile) and then decided to jog back home. I felt good, and kept going - completing 3 miles in 31 minutes. Not bad considering I walked the first quarter mile. I was surprised I got up to 9:20 pace, but ran most of it at 9:40. It actually felt considerably nice outside, with a slight breeze - 86, 67% humidity.

Augus 16 - 4 miles (walked)

Today is technically considered a "rest" day but the outdoors was calling my name, so I walked four miles in about an hour.

August 15 - 5 miles

First time running back-to-back days (6 yesterday, 5 today) but I felt pretty good, despite the heat and humidity of a 7 a.m. group run. It was good to see everyone from last year and meet the new people training with the Galloway program. I ran with Kristie in group four, and we kept about a 10 minute pace, with 3:1 walk breaks. My IT band strap kept falling down due to sweat, so I took it off around mile 3 and ran without it. I iced afterwards, and on the ride home.

This was a "small" bag of ice. It was great to see Hannah - hadn't seen her since the marathon in February when we finished hand-in-hand!

August 14 - 6 miles

After not a lot of sleep last night and a teambuilding activity for work today (read: 2 white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, brownies, salad, ribs, pasta salad, salad, kettle cooked chips), I took an hour nap and then headed to the gym. I opted for a treadmill on the opposite side of the fitness floor. My new running shoes aren't in yet so I wore a new pair of Etonic Prayas I had with my old inserts, and my IT band strap. I felt okay for the most part but it was ridiculously humid in the gym and my HR was up to 165. I ran mostly at 10-minute mile pace. I walked a minute here and there, and completed 6 miles in about 64 minutes. My right IT band was even tight. I made sure to stretch both afterwards.

August 13 - 3 miles on the elliptical

I'm growing more and more annoyed with the injury. I just wish I could run. The elliptical is boring! I did 3 miles in about 35 minutes and then did the following workout:
1. Squat to upright row (20 lb. bar x 15 reps)
2. Crunches
3. 8-lb. ball to each ankle (15 reps)
4. Push ups (sets of 10)
5. Back extension (sets of 10)

August 11 - 5 (walked) miles

After sleeping in this morning and skipping full court basketball, I decided to go for an afternoon walk — both for exercise and to clear my head. So many thoughts that needed to be dispersed. What better way to rid my head of them than a walk outside. I walked for 5 miles, about 15 min. mile pace, finishing in 1 hour, 15 minutes. Not being able to run certainly isn't fun, and walking is not nearly as exciting, but I still like to be outside and feel like I'm doing something. My Garmin said I burned 400 calories and I'm okay with that. I wore a new IT band strap and it seemed to work well. I went to Jacksonville Running Company at lunch with Audra and we both got fitted for new running shoes. Her in Mizunos and me in Brooks Glycerin 7's. We'll see how those work out when they arrive later this week.

August 10 - 1.5 miles + 3 miles (walked)

Yesterday I walked for about 3 1/2 miles (Garmin decided not to turn on) and played sand volleyball for about an hour and a half. I set off to do 3-4 miles but after a mile and a half, above my left knee was hurting a bit, so I decided it was best to stop. I did the elliptical for 15 minutes and then did two and a half sets of:
1. Chest press w/ 22.5 lb dumbbells (17 reps)
2. Assisted pull up machine (12 reps)
3. 2-minute wall sits
4. Triceps pull overs
5. Bicep curls (10 lbs) with ab/legs extended
6. Lat pull downs (70 lbs x 13 reps)
7. Shoulder combo (side and front raise) - 5 lbs.
8. Seated row

Then I played three games of knockout (basketball) from the 3-point line with Chris and Curry. Talk about a workout! My goodness. Overall my legs felt very heavy today and my HR was relatively low on the treadmill and elliptical but I also felt tired. Got almost 8 hours of sleep last night but much less the prior days.

After work I walked 3 miles outside in about 46 minutes. Great for clearing the head and getting fresh (but extremely hot) air!

August 8 - 7 miles

I was hoping to attempt 6 miles but felt good on the treadmill and stretched it to 7. (in about 74 minutes) Jogged a 10-minute mile 1, walked for 1 minute, then stopped to walk about every 8 minutes. Got up to 6.3, but hovered around 6.1 for the most part (9:50 pace). HR to 166, avg. 158. Iced IT band afterwards and lots of stretching.

August 6 - Full court 4-on-4

15 minutes on the upright bike felt like an eternity this moring! Thankfully Lisa joined me a few minutes in, but it was still incredibly boring. Chris recruited me for four-on-four and I figured I'd burn some calories huffing it up and down the court. I played three games, which took about an hour. My legs felt tired, much moreso than when I played Tuesday, but that could be from the 5-miler yesterday. I scored a few shots and snagged some rebounds (even had some steals!) but didn't play overly well today.

August 5 - 5 miles

After four hours of sleep I had a tough time getting up and making myself go to the gym but I knew I had to go (prior engagement after work = no time for p.m. gym session). I finally crawled out of gym and headed to the gym in my glasses. I ran 3 miles, joining Lisa as she was on mile 2. I was aiming for four. I got to four, felt good, and kept going to 5 in 51 minutes. I walked every mile for a minute and threw in an extra walk break. Stayed around 5.9 to 6.3 mph, HR to 170. So far, so good.

August 3 - 3 miles

Day three back to running. Did 20 minutes on the elliptical and then decided to run 3 miles on the treadmill. It was great catching up with Lisa and Katrine at the gym, as Lisa ran 2 of the 3 miles with me and Katrine ran the first mile with me. I felt fairly good, and walked every 5 or 6 minutes for a minute. I then played knockout with Chris and Mike, almost beating Chris (one day!) in a second game from the three-point line.

August 2 - 3 miles

Day two back to running after a few weeks off. Met a co-worker at 8 a.m. (77 with 75% humidity, oh my goodness!) to run 3 miles. We did it without stopping but were soaked at the end, finishing in about 31 minutes. The sun was brutal. Legs felt okay. We played tennis afterwards.