March 9 - 3 miles

Walked 2 miles at the office with co-workers, and then ran/walked 3 miles after work. Just not feeling it lately. Will be glad when the Gate River Run is over so I can focus on weights and other cardio. I think I'm burnt out!

March 7 - 5 miles

Ugh! Thank goodness for Lisa. We did 5 miles (short sleeves, shorts, visor, no compression socks, Etonics), and stopped to walk every mile for a minute. I was struggling and my shins felt weird. I was so glad to be done after.

March 5 - 4 miles

51 degrees, 52% humidy. Fabulous running weather. Long-sleeve cotton shirt (dri-fits are all in the wash!), shorts, Etonics. Ran 2 miles out and back, and ran the first mile in 9:30. Felt good overall, with a little pain below outer right knee.

March 3 - 4 miles (treadmill)

First run since my 2nd half marathon within 7 days. Did 4 miles on the treadmill with Lisa, who did 5. I felt good, and realized I enjoy running outside much more than on the treadmill.

February 28 - 13.1 miles (Gasparilla 1/2 Marathon, Tampa)

At the Gasparilla Distance Classic Expo

Sprinting to the finish line!

Finished with my 6th 1/2 marathon - 2:08:47!

Downtown Tampa

After not enough sleep (maybe 5 hours, max), the 6 a.m. start time for Tampa's Gasparilla 1/2 marathon loomed - eeek! That's early. Breakfast (oatmeal, banana, peanut butter, water) at 3:50 a.m.? Yawn. I was attempting my second half marathon within a week, since I ran the Breast Cancer Marathon 1/2 last weekend in Jacksonville. The weather was fantastic; cold but not too cold. Long sleeve technical shirt, visor, shorts, compression calf sleeves, Etonic Prayas, mittens and kids' sweatshirt before the race. The first few miles were dark, which was pleasantly nice, and went by fast. Miles 4-6 were on Davis Island, which reminded me of certain areas in Jacksonville. I ran the first 5 mile straight, then stopped to walk when I needed. My left calf was nagging me the entire time. I took the lemon-lime Gatorade provided on the course often, and a GU at miles 6.5 and 10. I ran w/ my 8 oz bottle of water. Mittens came off at mile 7. Miles 8-11 were down and back along the bay, which was beautiful, but at the same time boring. Around mile 10.5 I was walking and heard noise behind me. The 2:10 pace group was approaching, and filled with energy! I ran the last part of the race with them (all running) and then pushed past them with a mile left to go. My Garmin read 13.3 miles when I finished, and my official chip time was 2:08:47 - 9 seconds faster than last week's time of 2:08:56! Another PR! The medal is the best part - emblazoned with a pirate, and the ribbon has colorful tropical designs, and black Nike swooshes. Overall I felt great and didn't even feel sick when I came across the finish line. Dinner the night before was vegetable soup, salad, creole shrimp and rice, and bread pudding at Dutch Valley in Sarasota. And I shared cupcakes that afternoon and had cupcakes for breakfast, in addition to soup and vegetarian chili for lunch.

February 26 - 3 miles

My second, and final, run between my two back-to-back half marathons went well. Great weather in the mid-50s, a little wind, and sunny skies. I did 3 miles and my left upper glute was bothering me at the end, so I stretched well and hoped for the best.

February 21 - 13.1 miles (26.2 With Donna 1/2 Marathon)

(mile 7 - 1st Street, Jacksonville Beach)
Great weather - cold, in the mid-40s for the start, and it warmed up to the mid-60s by the finish. I ran the first 5.5 miles tagging along with Kelly and Rachel, and we did 4:1 run/walk ratio. I split from them on the beach, and ran/walked the rest of the way. I enjoyed the 1/2 marathon but got a little choked up at the turnaround point, watching the others head off in the direction of 26.2 miles, which I did last February. The intracoastal bridge was tough at mile 11, but Lisa came and ran the final 1/2 mile of the race with me, which helped immensely.

February 18 - 3 miles

Last run before the 1/2 marathon Sunday and I did three miles in 50-degree weather. (Adidas dri-fit zip-up, shorts, bondi band, Etonic Prayas) Wind was much less than it's been lately, which was nice. I felt good, despite having been sick for the past few days and without a voice. I ran most of the 3 miles, stopping 3 times for walk breaks, and still finishing in 38:30. Got up to 8:20 pace at one point! My left outer ankle area was bothering me again, even in the new shoes.

February 15 - 4 miles

Despite the grey skies, it was 55 degrees, 67% humidity, SW winds gusting 15 to 23 mph (ugh!), when I set out on my 3-4 mile run. I have no voice and still don't feel 100% but wanted to get in at least a few miles. It was my first outdoor run in my new shoes, and they felt good - I felt much lighter and faster than in my New Balances. I ran very fast, much quicker than the past few weeks, and even with a few walk breaks managed to complete the down and back 4 miles in 38:17. The wind was brutal too.

February 13 - 7 miles (treadmill)

Started feeling sick Thursday afternoon and by no means am completely better, but the "7 miles" on the schedule still loomed. It was chilly and grey outside and I woke up early, so I decided to do the 7 on the treadmill. So sweaty! It went fairly well as I tested out my new shoes from Jacksonville Running Company, a new pair of Etonic Prayas (I wore Prayas this summer, before injuring my IT band, and loved them). The first two miles my knees hurt a little, and then I eased into things and they felt better. The top of my right foot started hurting at mile 6 and I think that's because the laces may be too tight. Overall I felt good and was glad to knock the 7 miles out, even if I was under the weather.

February 11 - 3 miles

Warmed up for a few minutes on the treadmill which seemed to make a difference (typically I step on then go right into a 6.0 mph run), then ran 3 miles with Lisa. Could have gone 4 but know I should taper. I've been running at least 4-6 miles on my short mile days lately, so 3 was good. I did 10 min. on the elliptical with arms after.

February 10 - Cardio + Weights

After an amazing Black Eyed Peas concert last night (in bed at midnight), I still managed to get up for the gym this morning! And it was freezing outside. I did the bike for a few minutes with Lisa, then 20 minutes of the elliptical. (HR in 130s) Then arms and chest/back — note to self: do more triceps dips! — and off to a meeting.

February 9 - 4 miles

Hard to believe it's taper time for the 1/2 marathon — already! Time flies. Unfortunately there weren't two treadmills together so Lisa and I had to separate. I managed to do 4 without too much trouble, though I stopped to stretch my nagging left ankle about midway through. I took some walk breaks but ran most of it at 9:30 pace. HR up to the 160s. Very humid in the gym again.

February 8 - 30 min cardio + weights + 2 mi walk

Got up and went to the gym! It was pretty dead due to Super Bowl Sunday. I did 15 min. on the big elliptical with arms — that thing is tough, then lifted arms and back. Then I did 15 min. on the regular elliptical with arms. Today I walked 2 miles and climbed stairs.

February 7 - 10 miles

10 a.m. run: 44 degrees, feels like 38, and 8 mph winds (I think weather.com lied). Long-sleeve cotton t-shirt, Nike running shorts, compression calf sleeves, visor, Garmin, mittens (took them off after mile 2). Ran with Lisa, and completed 10 miles in 1:42. Was so nice to have someone to chat with outside. I haven't run with a friend outdoors in months. It flew by. The first mile or two were tough, but after mile 6 I felt like I could go all day.

February 5 - 5 miles (dreadmill)

Oh my goodness! SO humid in the gym. (and 65 outside!) Thank goodness for Lisa. I got my end treadmill and did 5 miles (54:30?) and she did 6 miles. It was brutal. My left outer ankle/achilles hurt early on so I tightened my shoe laces and it was better. It's still stiff post-run but not painful or anything. My lungs and legs felt fine during the run/walk but it was so humid and hot in the gym.

February 3 - 30 min cardo + weights + 2.5 mi walk

Made it to the gym in the morning and did 20 min. on elliptical w/ arms with Lisa then 10 min. on the big elliptical with arms. Then arms/back workout. At work I walked 2 miles with my co-workers and did an extra .5, in addition to stairs.

February 2 - 3 mile run + 2 mile walk

Slept in this morning (nice to get 10+ hrs of sleep though). After a long lunch meeting at work (catered: tomato tortilla soup, arroz con pollo, kidney beans, caesar salad, marinated avocado, and warm rice pudding — okay, okay I had seconds!) I was happy for the 2-mile walk around the lake with my 2 co-workers. Throughout the day I managed to climb the 6-story building I work in (10 flights of stairs x 12 steps each = 120) 5 times. After work I ran 3 miles in 29:18, stopping a few times for walk breaks. It was 58 degrees, 81% humidity and NW winds 14 mph. Overall I felt okay, my left outer achilles felt a bit better but still stiff. Long sleeve oversized (bad idea) cotton t-shirt, shorts, New Balances, and Bondi Band.

February 1 - 40 min cardio + arms/back workout + 2 mi walk

Had the morning off so slept in then headed to the gym. Did 20 minutes on the big elliptical with arms (HR to 163) then a good arms and back workout, then 20 minutes on the regular ellipitcal with arms (HR to 145), where I chatted with Amy, who I haven't seen at the gym in ages. At 3 pm my two co-workers and I did a 2-mile walk around the lake (6 laps).

January 31 - Double Digits! 10 miles

It was 44 "feels like 37" degrees, 71% humidity, with NNE 17 mph (insert groan here!) winds, but grey and cloudy, and if you ask me - perfect running weather (minus the winds). Visor, long sleeve cotton shirt, shorts, compression calf sleeves, New Balances, mittens. The first 2 miles weren't too fun, but around mile 6 I felt great, and by 8, felt I could go all day. I made myself stop at 10 (1 hr 42 min), as the 1/2 marathon is three weeks away. Stopped for water a few times and downed a GU with caffeine almost to mile 6. My left outer ankle/side achilles is still and bothered me a bit early on in the run. Not sure what the deal is.

January 28 - 4 miles (dreadmill!) + 2 mile walk

Finally got up this morning and met Lisa at the gym - she ran 6, and I did 4 relatively easy (43:30) miles. My HR got up to 164, and I was running around 9:40 to 10-min. mile pace. Thank goodness for each other or we would have both called it a day after about a mile. I haven't done a treadmill run in more than a month. I've enjoyed running outside, even when it's boring, just for the fresh air and change of scenery. After the 4 I did some arm weights and stretches. My right knee hurt a tiny bit during the run/walk. At work I did two miles (6 laps) with my two co-workers and then throughout the day climbed 6 flights of stairs 3x.

January 27 - 2 mile walk

6 laps around the lake (in sneakes!) at work yielded about 2 miles (33 minutes) with two co-workers. I'm wearing my Garmin next time so we know for sure.

January 26 - 6 miles

63 degrees, sunny, windy - 18 mph - 4:15 p.m. Took two days off due to work travel. Felt good, even ran some in the 8:30-9 minute pace range. Finished 6 miles in 1:02, with walk breaks.

January 23 - 5 miles

Mid-morning 5 miles. Lots of walk breaks (maybe 2 days back to back wasn't a great idea after being sick), and lots of wind. Short sleeve shirt again, shorts, visor, and my new compression calf sleeves.

January 22 - 4 miles

Finally feeling better after being sick for a week+. I did 4 easy miles in 41 minutes, impressed that I was able to bounce back so quickly. Short sleeves, hat, shorts!

January 18 - 3 miles

Ugh, have been sick since Wednesday night so no running for me lately. Having the day off from work today, and breezy 65-degree temperatures, I set out in shorts, dri-fit short sleeve shirt, and visor. I aimed for three, and made it three but the lungs weren't having it. (had to walk a lot) The legs, on the other hand, felt fabulous. I wore my new ZXU calf compression sleeves from Jacksonville Running Company and they were awesome.

January 13 - 6 mile bike ride

So I haven't ridden in a bike in forever, but a friend let me borrow his Schwinn, so I set off for a ride. It was SO windy and cold with the wind flapping in my face. I wore shorts, a long sleeve cotton shirt and a lululemon headband with mittens. My hands and lower back were hurting a bit by the time I finished. I played around with the gears to make it hard at certain parts and easier on others. It was an interesting experience. I think I actually prefer running, which is odd, because I saw everything faster on the bike ride, which was neat. I did about 6 miles and was happy to be done.

January 12 - 5 miles

5 mile run after work in under 52 minutes with walk breaks - my legs felt heavy the first mile or so, then I got moving. It was in the 40s and not too windy.

January 10 - 10 miles

Burrr...29 degrees at 10 a.m., but the sun was shining and skies were blue. I was going to run yesterday but it was cold and grey, otherwise known as miserable. The 10 miler was a decent run in tights, shorts, long-sleeve shirt, mittens, and visor. Everything was good until about mile 9, running home in the wind. Ugh! Ran with the 8 oz water bottle and refilled it once. It was neat to see icicles on shrubs (I knocked some off with my mittens, which was fun) and frozen water on sidewalks. Did not enjoy running through Reedy Branch, as I ran all of its streets and cul-de-sacs. I typically like running through neighborhoods because the houses are different, and there's always something to distract me. This one was just boring.

January 4 - 4 miles

4 miles with walk breaks in 41 minutes at lunch. Long sleeve cotton shirt (bad idea), shorts, visor, mittens. Despite being blue skies, sunny and windy and cold - 44 - I was still warm and sweaty. The wind was brutal.

January 3 - Gym

20 minutes on the big elliptical with arms (HR up to 160), then 20 minutes on the bike (HR to almost 140) then did arms/chest/back weights at the gym.

January 2, 2010 - 6 miles in the new year!

10 a.m.: 41, feels like 35, wind 10 mph, and sunny. I did capri Nike tights, dri-fit long sleeve shirt, visor and mittens and probably would have been good in shorts. I made it about a mile and a half before wanting to turn around and go home but I kept going. Lots of walk breaks and just felt overall tired and legs felt heavy, despite not doing anything the last two days. I stopped to refill my small water bottle twice and had a GU with caffeine around mile 1. Did 6 miles.