I was doing well right around Christmas with my long walks and a couple of runs. But, alas, a couple days after Christmas, I got sick. I started off feeling tired and achy, and within a day I started coughing and pretty much have not stopped since, although as the days and weeks go on, I cough less and less. Mostly. Walking in the cold makes it worse.
Today, the temps reached the low 60s. It was glorious. After some pretty cold days this past week and a snowy last Saturday, I figured I should put on the running shoes and go. So I did.
Bailey and I ran about 2 miles (our long walk route). I stopped for about 15 seconds two times so Bailey could do her thing, and I needed to walk for about 5 to 10 second so I could catch my breath going up a hill. But for the most part, it was all good. I am not sure I ever felt any pain, other than my usual breathlessness when I run up the big hills.
In fact, I felt so good about the run that I decided to drop Bailey off and run our usual 1.2-mile route myself. During that run, I had to walk up the biggest hill for under 10 seconds. I was fine the rest of the way.
Since this is January, and it will inevitable get cold again, I am guessing I won't be running again anytime soon. But it was nice to get one in, after such a long break. I guess the daily walking has kept me in pretty good shape.
Showing posts with label warm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label warm. Show all posts
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Another beautiful day in Pittsburgh
We have had some beautiful March days lately. I probably should have used yesterday's just about 70-degree sunny day to get in a run, but I decided to run the steps instead. This time I smartly went sleeveless, though I probably could have also done without the 3/4-length leggings.
As usual, I felt great going up the first time, but, man, it does not take long for me to wonder how I am going to get through 20 trips. Pretty much by the second trip down, I was feeling tired and warm. I decided not to worry too much about my timing since it was the warmer than when I last did steps, but I definitely did not want to increase my workout by more than a minute.
Luckily, somehow, I bested my time from two weeks ago. I completed 20 trips in 16:07, shaving just over 20 seconds off that workout. I am not going to boldly claim that I want to get my time below 16 minutes, because, quite frankly, I would be happy with 17 minutes, maybe even 18. I cannot figure out why my timing has gotten better this year/month as compared to previous years, when I felt as if I were in better shape. Perhaps I stopped more during those workouts and then did not stop my stopwatch while doing so.
And the downside of getting through steps in a short(er) amount of time is that if I do nothing else, that means I get just over 15 minutes of exercise in, which is pretty much nothing (well, don't tell that to my thighs and heart!).
So I when I finished my 20 trips up and down the steps, I proceeded to run around the outside of the gym, which includes about 20 steps, for seven minutes. So I probably ran about 3/4 of a mile, maybe more. I am definitely satisfied with 23 minutes of working out.
If I did not work my legs so hard, I would do something today, but probably I will just walk around for a bit and enjoy the weather. Too nice to go to the pool (which, by the way, we did on Monday, and I got in about 20 laps).
As usual, I felt great going up the first time, but, man, it does not take long for me to wonder how I am going to get through 20 trips. Pretty much by the second trip down, I was feeling tired and warm. I decided not to worry too much about my timing since it was the warmer than when I last did steps, but I definitely did not want to increase my workout by more than a minute.
Luckily, somehow, I bested my time from two weeks ago. I completed 20 trips in 16:07, shaving just over 20 seconds off that workout. I am not going to boldly claim that I want to get my time below 16 minutes, because, quite frankly, I would be happy with 17 minutes, maybe even 18. I cannot figure out why my timing has gotten better this year/month as compared to previous years, when I felt as if I were in better shape. Perhaps I stopped more during those workouts and then did not stop my stopwatch while doing so.
And the downside of getting through steps in a short(er) amount of time is that if I do nothing else, that means I get just over 15 minutes of exercise in, which is pretty much nothing (well, don't tell that to my thighs and heart!).
So I when I finished my 20 trips up and down the steps, I proceeded to run around the outside of the gym, which includes about 20 steps, for seven minutes. So I probably ran about 3/4 of a mile, maybe more. I am definitely satisfied with 23 minutes of working out.
If I did not work my legs so hard, I would do something today, but probably I will just walk around for a bit and enjoy the weather. Too nice to go to the pool (which, by the way, we did on Monday, and I got in about 20 laps).
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Nothing much new
I have not run since I last posted about it. I had things to do this week, including three days of subbing, finishing up my taxes, and attending a volunteer service, which prevented me from getting a run in. Fortunately, I did sub one day for gym class, and I ended up doing some laps with most of the classes.
On Thursday I did a really high impact version of Zumba. I really felt it (and pain in my stupid right knee when I did some knee bends), but it was a good workout. I am getting better and better at it, though I still can't follow all the moves or completely master the hip shaking.
I went to the pool two other days, and I swam about 20 laps one day and 30 yesterday. I also got in some jogging at the pool as well as some arm and leg things.
This week that is just ending had two really nice days (one in the upper 50s and the other about 60 degrees), as well as some sun on one or two of the other chilly days. Most of the days would have been great for a run. Oh, well.
Since I am subbing every day next week, running is out. I may only get to swim two days as well. But come the following week, I am determined to get back on track.
On Thursday I did a really high impact version of Zumba. I really felt it (and pain in my stupid right knee when I did some knee bends), but it was a good workout. I am getting better and better at it, though I still can't follow all the moves or completely master the hip shaking.
I went to the pool two other days, and I swam about 20 laps one day and 30 yesterday. I also got in some jogging at the pool as well as some arm and leg things.
This week that is just ending had two really nice days (one in the upper 50s and the other about 60 degrees), as well as some sun on one or two of the other chilly days. Most of the days would have been great for a run. Oh, well.
Since I am subbing every day next week, running is out. I may only get to swim two days as well. But come the following week, I am determined to get back on track.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Against the wind but into the sun
According to the weather peeps, today was supposed to be in the 50s, but rainy, so I planned to do my weekly run tomorrow or Wednesday when it was supposed to be sunny, though chillier (between the upper 30s and lower 40s). It certainly did pour this morning, and it was a bit chilly, in the 30s, but fortunately by noon, the rain seemed to leave the skies and the temps started to rise.
So I set out to run around 2 p.m., going my usual route, when the temps were in the upper 40s. As sunny is it was, one could have thought it was 60. In fact with the sun feeling so warm, I decided to skip the sweatshirt/hoodie and wear just a long-sleeved t-shirt with workout pants. Wise choice. I was chilly for only about 30 seconds once or twice the entire run.
As for pain, I felt little, so yeah. I did notice my right knee hurt about halfway into my first mile, but not again after that. The roads were wet, but fortunately, I never slipped.
All in all, it was a good run. Even though the wind on the way down was a bit strong, the sun more than made up for it and left me feeling pretty good.
Mile one:10:12
Mile two: 8:46
Considering the wind, I think I did pretty well time-wise.
Until next time.
So I set out to run around 2 p.m., going my usual route, when the temps were in the upper 40s. As sunny is it was, one could have thought it was 60. In fact with the sun feeling so warm, I decided to skip the sweatshirt/hoodie and wear just a long-sleeved t-shirt with workout pants. Wise choice. I was chilly for only about 30 seconds once or twice the entire run.
As for pain, I felt little, so yeah. I did notice my right knee hurt about halfway into my first mile, but not again after that. The roads were wet, but fortunately, I never slipped.
All in all, it was a good run. Even though the wind on the way down was a bit strong, the sun more than made up for it and left me feeling pretty good.
Mile one:10:12
Mile two: 8:46
Considering the wind, I think I did pretty well time-wise.
Until next time.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Running towards 40 at full force
Not wanting to waste an unexpectedly nice afternoon with warm temps (upper 60s!) and partly sunny skies, I decided to get another Monday run in. I tried to employ mind over matter by telling myself that the first hill is not so bad, and it actually kind of worked. My left foot hurt just a little before the pain soon went away (or else I did not notice it), and I felt as if I had a pretty good groove going.
As I was nearing the top of the hill, I checked my phone and saw that I had been running just over eight minutes, which meant there was a good chance I could complete that first mile in under 10 minutes. When I reached the top of the hill, pretty much gassed, I happily saw that my time was 9:44. The last time I ran that fast was last fall.
I felt pretty pleased with myself, so I tried to keep up a decent pace on the way back, without pushing myself as hard as I did on the way up. I ended up with a total time of 18:33.
Mile one: 9:44
Mile two: 8:49
Today's run marked my seventh out of eight days of exercise. Including in those days were running, walking, and swimming. And eating. But let's just focus on the exercise.
Three more weeks...
As I was nearing the top of the hill, I checked my phone and saw that I had been running just over eight minutes, which meant there was a good chance I could complete that first mile in under 10 minutes. When I reached the top of the hill, pretty much gassed, I happily saw that my time was 9:44. The last time I ran that fast was last fall.
I felt pretty pleased with myself, so I tried to keep up a decent pace on the way back, without pushing myself as hard as I did on the way up. I ended up with a total time of 18:33.
Mile one: 9:44
Mile two: 8:49
Today's run marked my seventh out of eight days of exercise. Including in those days were running, walking, and swimming. And eating. But let's just focus on the exercise.
Three more weeks...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
I'll take it.
Since yesterday was most likely going to be the only warmish, sunny day we will have all week, I decided to stop making excuses and get out there and run.
As with some recent previous times, the first hill was not awful. Not great, mind you, and I was still left somewhat breathless, but I did it, and I did not think my lungs were going to burst.
As usual, my feet started out hurting a bit, but after about five or so minutes, I had forgotten about them. I am seriously considering contacting customer service at Asics. What have I got to lose, really? For the record, I have tried on about a half dozen running shoes over the past month or so, but nothing seems quite right.
Anyway, to the best of my recollection, I felt little to no pain anywhere else (maybe a slight knee thing for a bit), and I enjoyed the sun and slight breeze, so all in all, a good run.
Mile one: 9:53
Mile two: 8:15
I have been pretty consistent with my times the last few times out, which I consider a good thing. Since I will be 40 in just over a month, I think I am almost ready to give up the dream of doing this run again in under 18 minutes. If I can manage to run once a week, to go along with my swimming and running up and down the steps, that will be great. But I think I can be happy if I can run a couple times a month, considering my track record this year.
Until next time...
As with some recent previous times, the first hill was not awful. Not great, mind you, and I was still left somewhat breathless, but I did it, and I did not think my lungs were going to burst.
As usual, my feet started out hurting a bit, but after about five or so minutes, I had forgotten about them. I am seriously considering contacting customer service at Asics. What have I got to lose, really? For the record, I have tried on about a half dozen running shoes over the past month or so, but nothing seems quite right.
Anyway, to the best of my recollection, I felt little to no pain anywhere else (maybe a slight knee thing for a bit), and I enjoyed the sun and slight breeze, so all in all, a good run.
Mile one: 9:53
Mile two: 8:15
I have been pretty consistent with my times the last few times out, which I consider a good thing. Since I will be 40 in just over a month, I think I am almost ready to give up the dream of doing this run again in under 18 minutes. If I can manage to run once a week, to go along with my swimming and running up and down the steps, that will be great. But I think I can be happy if I can run a couple times a month, considering my track record this year.
Until next time...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
I forget how long it has been!
I wanted to title this post "So we meet again, old foe Side Stitch." Then I realized it has been two weeks since I last posted, which meant it had been that long since I had gone running.
I was super busy the past two weeks. As a result, I arrived at my kid's school only about 15 minutes before school let out (some days only 10 minutes prior), so running was out of the question until I finally had some time this past Friday.
I did my usual two-mile run, but unfortunately, without realizing it, I did not hit the "start" button on my phone's stopwatch feature. I felt as if I was making pretty good time on that mile. I was slightly winded, and definitely in a little pain, thanks to my old foe the side stitch (you can see where I got that title). I muddled through somehow, and I fully expected my first mile to be no more than 10 minutes and hopefully less when I hit the top of the hill. But as I looked at my phone, I saw the time read 0:00. Ugh! Based on what time it was when I started my run and what time it was when I got to the top of the hill/the end of the first mile, I had been running for less than 10 minutes. It could have been as low as just over 9 (though highly unlikely). So yeah! The second mile I did time, and I completed that in just over 8 minutes. So yeah, again!
All in all, it was a good, if not painful, run. The weather was an unseasonably warm 60-something degrees, though it was a bit windy. My timing was near my best. And that is saying something because I went two weeks in between runs, not to mention I had gone swimming only four times during that two-week period, when I typically would have swum six or seven times. Hopefully, I will have more time this week to get in at least one run and another trip or two to the pool (I went today, though did struggle a bit).
Until next time.
I was super busy the past two weeks. As a result, I arrived at my kid's school only about 15 minutes before school let out (some days only 10 minutes prior), so running was out of the question until I finally had some time this past Friday.
I did my usual two-mile run, but unfortunately, without realizing it, I did not hit the "start" button on my phone's stopwatch feature. I felt as if I was making pretty good time on that mile. I was slightly winded, and definitely in a little pain, thanks to my old foe the side stitch (you can see where I got that title). I muddled through somehow, and I fully expected my first mile to be no more than 10 minutes and hopefully less when I hit the top of the hill. But as I looked at my phone, I saw the time read 0:00. Ugh! Based on what time it was when I started my run and what time it was when I got to the top of the hill/the end of the first mile, I had been running for less than 10 minutes. It could have been as low as just over 9 (though highly unlikely). So yeah! The second mile I did time, and I completed that in just over 8 minutes. So yeah, again!
All in all, it was a good, if not painful, run. The weather was an unseasonably warm 60-something degrees, though it was a bit windy. My timing was near my best. And that is saying something because I went two weeks in between runs, not to mention I had gone swimming only four times during that two-week period, when I typically would have swum six or seven times. Hopefully, I will have more time this week to get in at least one run and another trip or two to the pool (I went today, though did struggle a bit).
Until next time.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sun, come back!
Because I was running late, I ran only about 1.8 miles on a sun-filled, warm (about 66 degrees!), but windy, afternoon this past Friday. I ran pretty quickly up the hill, thinking that I might be able to squeeze in the two miles in the 20 minutes I had. Of course that hill that left me pretty breathless, and it took me a few minutes to recover. Ultimately, I decided to cut it short; I just could not take a chance and risk getting back into the parking lot, neither cooled down nor stretched at the same time my kid was walking to my empty car.
Fortunately, I also swam 15 or so laps an hour later, so I did get a pretty good workout in. The very next day, the kid and I walked about a mile in 30-some degree temps. (C'mon, did we really need to lose over 30 degrees in under 24 hours?!)
And on Sunday, I swam about 25 laps, which I thought was the most ground (well, water) I had covered since I started swimming again. But then I realized I did that last weekend. I am now trying to swim three or four laps at a time instead of two, to try to increase my stamina. Hopefully, I can keep that up.
Unfortunately, I developed a slight cold Friday evening. Again. After only about a month and a half of being healthy. Grr.
I am still trying to exercise. And fortunately, I have felt better after I have done something physical. But I have a feeling I will neither swim nor run today. Just can't motivate myself.
Fortunately, I also swam 15 or so laps an hour later, so I did get a pretty good workout in. The very next day, the kid and I walked about a mile in 30-some degree temps. (C'mon, did we really need to lose over 30 degrees in under 24 hours?!)
And on Sunday, I swam about 25 laps, which I thought was the most ground (well, water) I had covered since I started swimming again. But then I realized I did that last weekend. I am now trying to swim three or four laps at a time instead of two, to try to increase my stamina. Hopefully, I can keep that up.
Unfortunately, I developed a slight cold Friday evening. Again. After only about a month and a half of being healthy. Grr.
I am still trying to exercise. And fortunately, I have felt better after I have done something physical. But I have a feeling I will neither swim nor run today. Just can't motivate myself.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I'm running on sunshine!
I ran yesterday, a day that was mostly sunny and about 50 degrees. According to the (rarely correct) weather forecast, it was supposed to be around 40-some degrees during my run, but the temps were happily almost 10 degrees higher than that. I ran in a long-sleeve t-shirt and a jacket slightly thicker than a windbreaker, and I was kind of warm on the way back. Yeah, sun! Yeah, temps that are quite a bit above freezing!
My times were almost identical to what I did last week. Right about 10:10 for the mile up and around 8:30 for the mile back. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the first hill was tough, but I felt pretty good coming back, and I was practically sprinting (which is why it was a little surprising that my second mile was not quicker, although I accidentally exited out of my stopwatch, so I am going by memory).
A few hours after the run and a couple of errands later, I went swimming, managing about 15 laps. So I definitely had a good workout day. Since I did nothing on Monday or Tuesday, I felt as if I need to do a little more. On Sunday, though, I did swim about 25 laps, my most ever. And I actually swam 12 consecutive laps, followed by another 8 after a short break. Yeah, stamina!
My times were almost identical to what I did last week. Right about 10:10 for the mile up and around 8:30 for the mile back. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the first hill was tough, but I felt pretty good coming back, and I was practically sprinting (which is why it was a little surprising that my second mile was not quicker, although I accidentally exited out of my stopwatch, so I am going by memory).
A few hours after the run and a couple of errands later, I went swimming, managing about 15 laps. So I definitely had a good workout day. Since I did nothing on Monday or Tuesday, I felt as if I need to do a little more. On Sunday, though, I did swim about 25 laps, my most ever. And I actually swam 12 consecutive laps, followed by another 8 after a short break. Yeah, stamina!
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