Where is that road?

We were supposed to go on our 7 mile pace run today however we wanted new scenery so we used mapmyrun to find a new route. We found, what we thought was going to be, a great run in Francestown. We began by warming up by walking the first mile (that was part of the plan), then we said goodbye and began our individual runs. At a little over the two mile mark, there was Kurt. The road that was supposed to be there wasn't. So we had to make it up from there but then we were disrupted and this not longer became a pace run it was to just get in the miles.

Kurt ended up doing a little over 6 miles and I did almost 8. Next pace run we are going to go to the marathon course and run the last 9 miles of the course. At least that way we will know that the roads exist!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Enough with the rain. Unfortunately, it has rained nearly every day (except one) in June and now July is following the same trend. This is not good for hiking, running, gardening, or my mood.

Kurt and I went to the track last night. He did 5 x 800's at a 6:00 min/mile pace (ouch!) and I decided to forgo the track workout for a 3 mile run on the bike path. I really wanted to work on form and my breathing. I am trying to be more of a Chi runner. I am not sure if I have the form down but I was working on picking up my feet (getting rid of the pendulum shuffle). I maintained a 10:50 min/mile and was able to have a conversation with the group that I went with. They were awesome! I always feel like I have a good run when I am out with Melanie. I did have an incident where a dog came barking out of nowhere and took my breath away but with focus I was back in action :-).

We are going to do a 5K this Saturday in Merrimack to support one of Kurt's co-workers who just started running and has been training for a 5k. We are REALLY excited to be out there for him! My sister is also going to join us.

I have been looking at new water packs because our runs are getting longer and longer. I really like the GoLite HydroSprint. They make one specifically for women and one for men. They are available at RunningWarehouse for only $35.95. Something to think about. I like that it has a gel flask. We have been ordering our gel from Hammer Nutrition. You can get it in a bottle - so no messy packets and no sticky fingers!

When Sammy comes home she promised me a run outside. She has been mainly on the treadmill, which is good but it lacks some of the skill of running outdoors. For starters, when you run outdoors - the ground does not move under you and there is wind resistance. I am hoping that she has fun.

Back in the saddle again...

It has been a while since I have updated the blog. Work, IT Band injury, and time got in the way. We ran Derry's Boston Prep 16-miler and it was wonderful!!!! I highly recommend that race. Then we continued and did an 18 mile run and that is the one that put me over the edge. I ended up with an IT Band injury. Since then we ran Half at the Hamptons 1/2 Marathon, I was only able to make it to mile 8 before my leg gave out on me. Then I walked the Great Bay 1/2 Marathon. Kurt, on the other hand, has stayed (knock on wood) injury free.

Fast forward to July. We are now training for the Clarence De Mar Marathon on September 27th. We are in week 5 of our training and are following the Hal Higdon marathon training schedules. Kurt is doing the advanced and I am doing the intermediate II. Our training runs have been very hilly lately so I have to keep reminding myself "I LOVE HILLS," they make us stronger and better.

I am also really working on my form. My breathing is still very labored so I have been trying to move towards Chi Running. I am going to have get slower before I can get better so that I can go faster. We will see.

Blinded by the light, Cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night

Ok, so singing Bruce Springsteen may not be your thing but the song has been playing in my head! Kurt and I were to do a training run tonight. We decided to do it at my school so that we could run in the daylight. WRONG!!! It got dark FAST! We did not have our reflective vests or our flashlights. It was pretty much a Russian Roulette. I skipped doing any of the drills because I was too afraid. Still, we ran 4.65 miles. I really need to work on my landing and my push-offs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a very eventful Thanksgiving. On Wednesday, we only had one more item to cook when I got the news that my Mother had slipped on the frost covered stairs and took a serious fall. She dislocated her leg and broke her fibula (ouch). So we ended up having a lot more cooking to do! Thank goodness she was alright and came home from the hospital that night. She will be returning on Tuesday for surgery. We were all the more thankful for the health of our family.

We enjoyed a wonderful vegan Thanksgiving - tofurky, stuffing, mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, sweet potatoes, and buttercup squash. Delicious!

Kurt and I did the Turkey Trot 5k in Amherst. It was very slick. We woke up with it snowing at our house. Unfortunately, it was raining in Amherst so the roads got a nice coat of ice. With the image of my mother in our minds, we really took it easy and held back.

Kurt: 20:47 (he place first in his age division)
Terry: 31:06

On Saturday we had Thanksgiving Dinner - Take 2! We again cooked up a storm and headed over to Donna and Ken's house for food, fun, and merriment. We played football, ate until we were full, celebrated Judy's birthday, and then had a terrific game of Trivial Pursuit.

This morning, Kurt and I continued with our training schedule. We ran a 12 mile loop in Francestown. We were both using the run/walk method. I ended up taking about 9 minutes off of my time without much effort. Our legs did start tightening up around mile 10 so we are going to have to work on that.

And now, it is snowing! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....

It is all about the stuff!

Our new cloths arrived on Monday night. I was so excited that I wanted to go try out my new warmth right away! Unfortunately, it was raining and I did not want to get my new cloths dirty. We did not run yesterday either because of the pouring rain. Today, however, we will be getting out for a 45 - 60 minute run. Can't wait to put on my new coat!!!!! Gloves!!!!!! Headband!!!!!! Thank goodness for thermafleece :-)

Also, last Friday night we brewed beer with Donna, Ken, and Derek. We grabbed the spent grains after our brew fest. Over the weekend I made a delicious (vegan) spent grain bread. Yum-yum! I am making a couple more loaves now for our Thanksgiving feast. Dark and delicious!

Brrrrr...

As Kurt and I continue to train for the half marathon in February, I am finding a new appreciation for ear warmers, gloves, and warm coats. We (I) froze today. We did a track work out at ConVal HS in Peterborough. The problem is that the track is located at the top of a hill and is windy ALL the time - today being no exception. So at the time that we were doing our track work out, it was a balmy 27 degrees F with a wind of 8 to 9 mph. BRRRR!!!!

I ordered Kurt and I some wind and water resistant coats that will be coming in tomorrow. But for now, I am going to curl under a very big blanket and try to warm up!

Today's Workout:
5 minute walk
10 minute jog
Kurt: 7 x 800 (each 800 in 3 minutes and 25 seconds)
Terry: 5 x 800 (each 800 in 4 minutes and 45 seconds)
with a 1:30 minute walk in between each
10 minute jog
5 minute walk