treadmill drudgery

I missed my workout yesterday, which was supposed to be 10 x 400 repeats, so I did them this morning. To make it easy on myself (or so I thought) I ran them on my treadmill. I do not normally mind the treadmill for certain workouts, though it has been a very long time since I actually ran on it, but when the treadmill doesn't want to cooperate it makes it painful... The workout started out okay, did an easy warm-up then started my repeats. I got through the first 6 when I decided to increase my pace. Just as I was finishing my 7th, the treadmill stopped (the circuit breaker on the treadmill tripped). So I reset it and decided to put lube on the running deck, thinking that the belt was getting too hot. I started back up and on my final repeat, when I increased my pace again, it stopped again! So it seems that the treadmill is not fond of speed - anything over an 8:00/mile pace and it has other ideas. I guess it could be worse - it could try to throw me off of it...anyone want to buy a treadmill? P.S. Do NOT buy a Horizon Treadmill!!

happy birthday brooke

It was Brooke's birthday on Sunday, to celebrate we ran our 9 mile run on Fall Creek Trail out to the Monon then up North for about half a mile. We ran the second half faster than the first. Felt good the entire run and had a good pace and a nice relaxed run. The weather actually cooperated and turned out to be a nice day for a morning run. It did get a little warm later in the day, but I did manage to mow my somewhat brown and crispy lawn... I ran this morning for 30 minutes per the training schedule...still doesn't seem like enough, but after the run yesterday, I could tell I was a little tired. Cross-training tomorrow - hopefully my bike will cooperate a little better this time...

8 x 400 = confusion

Yesterday was time for my speedwork in my marathon training...I use the term speedwork a little loosely, as the pace I was supposed to run my repeats at was what I was running while warming up. I am not a fast runner, but unless the track I ran at was just short of a 1/4 mile, I was running at 8:00/miles for warm-up. I had to force myself to slow down so I was keeping a 9:00/mile pace. The funny thing was, I was feeling sluggishly slow to begin with. Somehow I was running 1:45 for my 400 meter repeats! Maybe it was the weather - it was much cooler and there was a slight breeze - it felt great to be outside. The process of running repeats is supposed to be simple, but I probably think too much about it. Anyway, I got my workout in. A nice easy 30 minute run tonight and then 9 miles this weekend...

rusty gears and flat tires

I missed my Monday run, so I doubled my cross training time yesterday. I got my bike down from the hooks in the garage and dusted it off. I checked the tires and found that they were almost completely flat, so I filled them up. As I headed off it started to rain, so I waited a few minutes until it stopped. I then headed off for and hour bike ride. I went to Fort Harrison State Park for the majority of my ride. I thought the hills would be a good workout - my knees disagree. I may need to readjust my seat, I'll have to check this before my next ride. I may also need to check my gear shifter...I found out during my ride that I only have 7 gears versus the 21 it is suppose to have. I was able to get the gear to advance after awhile, but it was inconsistent. At least I didn't end up with a flat tire this time...This is why running is better - shoes don't go flat (or maybe they do if you have Nike Air - right Brooke?), if your gears are rusty, it is you, not the equipment.

back home again in indiana...

We're back. Got home this morning at 2am...a long -ass drive! We originally were going to make it an easy drive home - breaking it up into three trips, going to Albany, NY to see a friend and see my old college, then on to Niagara Falls since Steph has never been there, maybe stopping by my old home town where I grew-up, and finally a stop in Ohio to see my grandmother. We skipped Niagara Falls and my home town - being anxious to get home and drove from Albany to Ohio to visit with my grandmother, then headed home from there - all in the same day. Needless to say, I didn't run this morning and will run my 7 miles tomorrow. It won't be the same as running past lighthouses, but it will be nice to run at home...