Jsnowash (Jenny)'s Mentor Group - CLOSED! (Page 7)

As I find myself in the middle of some lackluster training for my HM at the end of February, I wonder....how can I get myself to run faster than a 9 minute mile?  I think I could be pretty competitive if I could consistently hold an 8 mm pace.

Run less but run faster?

Just go run splits at the track?

Suggestions?

2012 is off to a great start! Just not for training.

I have to admit that New Years Day is one of my favorite holidays. We spent the day as a family with some close friends, and had a great time. But, I didn't get any exercise in. Tonight I head to the Y, and I'll hit the treadmill while my daughters in her karate class. I generally try to avoid the Y in January, because of all the Newbies who have no concept of gym etiquette. But, since I have to be there anyway, I'll hope I get a tready.

-Heidi

I am finally home from my mega-vacation. 18 days on the road. Whew. I'm back at work, but I'm not feeling the love yet.

Name: Felicia

Story: I participated minimally in athletics while I was in Jr. High and High School, but I loved running. I was slow then, as now, so I wasn't competitive, but I still enjoyed it. I'm from Eugene, OR and am old enough to have met Steve Prefontaine. He was my hero and still is probably as much of a hero as I have ever had. Because our high schools competed with each other, I ran on some of the same tracks he did -- just 15 years later. :-)

My father got into cycling when I was in Jr. High, so he and I did quite a few rides -- in 1976, we did 76 miles together. We did another ride that was 112 miles. We routinely rode from our house in West Eugene to his mother's house in Springfield -- probably 15 miles away (I'm guessing, because I was a kid and didn't pay that much attention to stuff like that.)

Swimming has always been my nemesis. I remember being a guppy at Girl Scout camp because I really hated putting my face in the water. Why no one suggested goggles to me is a mystery. It was that simple, but I didn't discover the secret until about 7 months ago.

I continued running and cycling off and on, but when I got pregnant with my first son, a little over 16 years ago, I stopped everything but walking. I didn't get active again until about a year ago. I had my gall bladder removed in November 2010 and by January 2011, I felt better than I had in years. I started the C25K program, added a little swimming and indoor cycling for cross training, and then decided I should probably do a triathlon.

I did my first triathlon in June 2011 -- last in my age group, but not last overall.

Family Status: I have been married seven years and we have eight children total -- five of his; two of mine (15 and 11) and one together (5).

Current Training: I've been running focused since the weather turned cold. I took swimming lessons in the fall, which put me in the pool two days a week -- but that ended just before Thanksgiving because the filter went out at the pool. I'm hoping that will be fixed, and I will sign up for swimming lessons again this Spring.

I bought an indoor trainer for my bike, but I haven't been very motivated to use it. I like to do yoga, but don't do it as much as I should. I also do some light weigh lifting.

2011 Races: I did three sprints, a handful of 5ks, a half marathon, a 15k, and a 10 mile Turkey Trot.

2012 Races: I'm calling 2012 the year of the half marathon and Olympic distance triathlon. I am planning to run in Oklahoma City and Wichita for certain. I would also like to do a few trail runs. The 15k I did was sort of a trail run -- on dirt/gravel/rocky/hilly rural roads, and I much prefer that to running on paved surfaces. I want to do a few sprints to begin the season, but I am hoping to work in at least one Olympic distance toward the end of the summer; my swimming needs to improve.

Weight loss: My weight is probably okay for my age, but since I want to run faster, I want to lose about 15-20 pounds. I could lose that and be on the light end of a healthy weight instead of the heavy end of a healthy weight.

What will make me a good group member: I am highly motivated and fairly consistent in my training. I like to encourage and praise others. I have quite a few opinions about running, but I'm not an expert by any means. 

We don't have one in our area -- the closest is 45 minutes away -- so I am thinking of getting one started myself (or something like it). We have a number of serious swimmers in our town (of about 2500 people), so I think I could get a few people interested.

I hear you. My kids are 15, 11, and 5. The 15 year old isn't that much of an issue, but the 11 and 5 year old are sometimes difficult to work training around. If I could get up earlier, it would be okay because my husband is home, but he leaves for work at 6:30, so I would have to get up super early.

As it is for me, I have a pretty flexible job -- I drop the kids off at school and I can sometimes sneak 30-45 minutes in before I need to shower and get to work. I can also sometimes sneak away early and get 45-60 minutes in before everyone starts getting home from work/school/daycare.

If you look at my logs, you will see that I have also done quite a bit of running after everyone is in bed. I found that I prefer running at night. We live in a very safe community and I have a head lamp.

The bike trainer has also helped. My five year old will sit and color next to me while I ride.

But yeah. Laundry and cleaning sometimes gets pushed to the side.

I think I'm caught up on posts now. I enjoyed hearing about your goals, training, and racing plans.

I had a good month in December, especially considering the traveling we did, but I haven't run in three days. I don't remember the last time that happened. I am going to dodge out of work here in a few minutes and run for 30-40 minutes. I should also try to get on the bike trainer. I haven't been on it in over a month, and I feel really horrible about that.

We're having beef tenderloin and tossed salad for dinner tonight. I can't wait!

I hope everyone who had the day off today enjoyed it. I had to come into the office, but they couldn't make me actually do anything! Well, at least not much. :-)

Welcome! And, welcome back to the reality of life after vacation.

_Heidi

Training didn't happen today. My husbands car caught fire under our car port after he got home from the gym today. It destroyed our carport but we only had one busted window (from the heat blowing it out), a little fire, smoke, and water damage inside of our home. The damage could have been much worse so we are overall lucky.

I told my husband whether ice, snow, heat, rain, wind, or FIRE I will continue training tomorrow. I have C25K: Week 6- Day 3 (32 minutes), 30 minute bike, and 45 minute swim tomorrow before I deal with insurance adjusters and other stuff like that. 

OMG I am glad you are safe... hugs

You.. are one dedicated lady :-)

Hope everything goes ok for you tomorrow...

That's why you should always lobby for first shift at the gym . 

Seriously, I'm sorry that happened, and I'm glad no one was hurt. Hope today goes smoothly for you.

-Heidi

Thank you!

I was so drained yesterday that I couldn't run after but I am going to go ahead and run today. At least I can release some stress and keep up a positive attitude from my run.

I agree with this advice, as well. As I've been building mileage at a slow, easy pace, my racing pace has increased, even without speed work. I know it's hard to be patient, but I think it takes time to build up strength in our legs. For me, endurance needs to come first -- then I'll worry about speed.

Good morning! I ended up not running yesterday, and I think it was a good thing. I did a super easy 25 minutes on the bike trainer and was pretty ill after. Whatever this bug is has really kicked me. I may try to go out for an easy run this afternoon, but I will reassess after lunch.

I hope everyone is having a great day today!