3 Miles

Just a short 3 mile training run today.  Trying out my new Mizuno shoes.  They seem pretty cool, but a little stiff yet.  I figure it will take a few runs before I know for sure how they feel.  It's always nice to have new shoes.  My old ones had 3 marathons and about 500 miles on them.  I guess it was time for new ones!

Awesome Run!

I woke up late this morning feeling like a complete zombie.  But after a good hit with caffeine, I managed to have a fabulous 10 mile run at the indoor track at the Wasilla Sports Complex.  I had a couple of days off of running with my driving trip to Fairbanks.  The rest must have done me some good.

I think I was also inspired by my niece, Amber who got 4 blue ribbons and won all of her events including overall first at her gymnastics meet in Fairbanks.  Thinking of her great achievement, made me run a little faster!

Go Amber!

Hot Springs Cross Training!

I'm up in Fairbanks for the weekend and took a little diversion trip out to Chena Hot Springs.  I won't get a chance to run this weekend, but took advantage of the hot pool and swam about an hour's worth of laps.  It's a little harder when the water is so warm, but at least it felt good, and at least I moved all of my muscles for an hour.  I think I will add swimming to my weekly workouts more often.  It is a great exercise no matter what the water temperature.

It was a gorgeous drive up here.  Lots of frosty trees again.

Short Run

I just ran 30 minutes, about 3 miles at the indoor track this evening.  My lower legs are killing me.  Not sure why, but I hope that stops.  I don't seem to be picking up any speed that's for sure.  But I'm going to try to run every day in hopes that my legs get tough. 

Another 5

I had a great 5 mile run on the indoor track in Wasilla this morning.  I hope I can find the time to run at least a little everyday now.  My next marathon is in Ireland in April.  It will not be for Team In Training, but I consider it to be yet another training run from my next Team In Training run.  I hope to run with them in the summer or the fall.

Short Run Back Home

I'm back home from the Phoenix PF Chang's marathon and my week visiting my mother in California.  Went for my first run since the marathon, only 3 miles on my treadmill.  But it felt great.  I was so busy in California that I never got a chance to run, plus the torrential downpours and even a funnel cloud discouraged running outdoors.  I was hoping to enjoy some outdoor runs in balmy weather, but it didn't happen.

It sure is nice to be back in beautiful Palmer, Alaska.

Marathon #9 Completed!

I did it, no speed records for sure, but I finished PF Chang's Rock & Roll Marathon in Phoenix today.  I don't know my official time yet but the gun time was just under 6 hours!  A very long time to run.  I knew I was not really ready for a full marathon after spending most of December nursing a knee injury, but I am happy that I did finish and that I ran the whole thing.  Only a couple short areas where I walked, mostly through the water stations so I didn't spill it all over myself.  We were so lucky with the weather too.  Pleasant temperatures, 70 at the highest, and a high overcast with a light breeze to keep things reasonably cool. I was sure happy to finally cross the finsh line though.

It was a very successful race for Team In Training too.  $1.6 million raised to fight blood cancer.  That's what it is really all about. 

Now I have to figure out what my next Team In Training run will be, and also prepare for the Connemara Marathon in April in Ireland.  I sure hope I can start picking up the pace in the near future though.  I would much rather run 4 or 5 hours than 6!