Today I went out and ran a 11.6 k. I ran it in 59 minutes. The head wind on the way there must have been from hell. It was bad. Sometimes I would get blown to the side of the road. All I could think about was, “I hope there is no head wind in the marathon because that would absolutely suck.” The first 6 K i ran it in 33:22 and on the way back I ran it in 26:12. So the head wind did play a huge role in the run. I got a little help on the way back with the wind at my back. This is what my route looked like.
Today I went on a very short shake out run after yesterday’s competition. I was very tight from jumping the barriers. I did about 20 minutes easy out by my house back in my hometown. It was a really good Sunday because I got to spend time with my family and also with Augie’s family:):):) How about that 12K ???. . . . WOW. . .Way to go Augie:) MUAH.
Today I just lifted upper body. Here is the workout I did:
bicep curles: 3 set 10
tricep pushdowns: 3 set 10
flies: 3 set of 10
bench press 3 set of ten
decline bench 3 set of ten
delta reverse 3 set of ten
thats about it.
august
Today I had my first official track meet of the outdoor season. It was a little chilly, but sunny so that made it a little more bearable. I ran the 3000m steeplechase, which is seven and a half laps over barriers and one water barrier. It was my second time running the race and I did pretty good. I won the event for the meet and beat my old time by about 22 seconds. I ran it in 11:44.xx which is a decent starting point for the season. I hope to maybe get close to eleven minutes by the end of the season:) I wish that Augie could’ve been there:):):) He is turning into a true runner man and I think it’s awesome. Oh and earlier this week in one of my classes I got a little discouraged about the marathon. A girl that sits in front of me is from Colorado and she said that when she went to Leadville she had a hard time with the altitude. She was a cross country runner in high school that trained at 7,000ft and Leadville is at 10,000ft to start, not to mention the huge climb we’ll be doing during the marathon. I know we can finish it, but I want us to both feel proud about not only that but also the effort we give. Looking forward to it, but not more than I am just looking forward to being with Augie again:)!!!
Today I went for another run. But to start off my day I did one hour of abdominal work. I did around 400-500 situps (different types). It was a great workout for the core. After that I decided to run another 8 k. I noticed that my legs were very tired, but I decided not to walk. my time was 41:48, which is not good at all. I was very dissapointed. Some of the factors of the bad time could have been muscle soreness, very strong head wind or music selection. Yes music selection. I could not find my I-Pod today so I decided to loan Sarah’s I-POD. I started running and came to some great songs but after I hit the half way point I started running to Toni Braxton, Brittney Spears and Monica. She has alot of good music on there too but the Toni Braxton was pretty funny It doesnt matter what she listens to, I still love her no matter what
Today was a very easy day of running for me. We had a premeet run as a team. We always do the same route for these days. It is a run through the downtown area of Naperville and then onto the “riverwalk.” It is a fun tradition because we always run the same three mile loop and we always touch the snout of this huge brass boar that stands in the front yard of one of the houses we pass on our route. Yes I know, who puts a huge brass boar in their front yard, but hey you’ve got those little rider guys with lamps, the infamous geese that changes clothes with the seasons, fake deer, shadow cutouts, and so many more. I’m pretty sure I’m never going to want to see any of those things in my front yard and I’m thinking Aug doesn’t want that either. hehe:) So the run went well and all the girls are pretty excited about the first outdoor meet, as am I. We will see how it goes tomorrow:):):) One day closer to my Jojo. YAY!!!
Well today I embarked on a wonderful journey. I didnt run that well. But I Still had a 5 K run that was in 24:44. Not bad considering the workout I did yesterday. My legs were tight and my upper body was sore. Saturday I have decided to do the Sarah McMillan Loop two times. That way it would be a 16 K. I am very proud in my girlfriend for being such a great athlete and supporting me in everything I do. I miss her and can’t wait to see her!
Me and Sarah in Norway.
I miss him too. . .every second of the day:( But I am so excited about all the fun things we are going to embark on as a couple the rest of our lives. It was good that Augie finished his workout today even though his legs were sore. It is always good to remember that there are days when the run is going to be hard and there are days you have to fight to get through it, so I’m proud of him for still getting out there. So about my workout today. I did an early morning run at 6 am. This is what my workout looked like:
Today would have been my best workout of all time. Or at least top ten. I decided to do some cross training. So I went to the gym and biked for 30 minutes. During my bike routine I did interval training. This gave me the opportunity to build strength in my leg muscles.
5 minute warm up
2 minutes medium pedaling
2 minutes heavy weigth pedaling.
I would switch every time up to 26 minutes.
After that I did a leg strengthening workout. I did 3 sets of 12 Leg curls with no break and switching in hamstring curls in between sets. After those two workouts I did leg press and squats. I would switch in each workout so, I did not get a break. I feel good. My legs are really tired but It should go away. Towards the end of my workout I added in some triceps pushdown and bicep curls. Lastly, I did butterflies for my chest and 3 sets of bench press.
When I was on the bike, I was thinking about running the marathon. I was thinking about running up the mountain with Sarah by my side me supporting her every step of the way. It is going to be so much fun!! So lets ask Ed McMann how many stars I get. Todays workout is— 8 and a quarter stars Yipppiee!!!!
FACE YOUR FEARS AND LIVE YOUR DREAMS.
So today was a very intense track workout for me:) I am part of the North Central Lady Cardinals. . I’m not really sure if I ever clarified that before. Anyways we were outside today and it was the first good day in a long time that I have got to run in, well the first good day here. The first week in Norway was beautiful for running and I can’t wait to get back there. Here’s what we did today:
26.03.08
6 out of 10
1.5 mile warm-up, 6×100m buildups
1×400m, 2x(300m, 200m, 100m), 1×600m
3.5 miles
Conditioning (push-ups,core, etc.)
Total Miles:
7 Miles
I am going to run the steeplechase this weekend so I also did some water jumps today. I was working with two girls that have never done it before so I talked them through it and we all went over the jump together. It got me really excited for this coming meet on Saturday. I’ve only ran the steeplechase once before and I definitely am looking forward to running it again this year. My legs are killing me today after all that track work. It’s not much recovery before our next practice which is at 6 am tomorrow. I have a feeling I will be pretty sore when I wake up. Kudos to by Jojo for his workout today because he did a lot too:) I also think about how much fun running this marathon is going to be together!!! He makes me believe that I can do things that I never thought possible.
Just in case you might be wondering what the steeplechase is, it is a race that is 3000m long and has eight barrier jumps. One of the barrier jumps is over a water pit. Here is what the race looks like.
Today I did pretty much actually. I started the day doing about 400 pushups, with my students. (I am a PE teacher) At around 4 oclock me and a buddy went fishing. We were going a place where there was alot of snow and the road wasnt plowed. We had to walk in shin deep snow about 2 km to the site. It took us 40 minutes but was a fun trip anyways. I caught two fish and my buddy didnt catch any. I catch the fish like a wildabeast.
After the fishing I came home and contemplated my run. I decided to run the longer loop today. This loop is about 8 k. The first time I ran it, I think I ran it in 42:00. Today I ran it in 37:24. I felt alot better today and I am one day closer to my boo… which makes me even more happier.
Me and my huge fish
ME walking through the snow after fishing. It was cold and deep ;(
Hey:) Today I got up and ran with my team. We did a pretty long loop about 5.5 miles. I did some conditioning after that and I am feeling sore after Monday’s workout. I am happy because I am one day closer to seeing my Jojo:)
Just wanted to tell you about some of my favorite running music that you put on your Ipod or mp3 player. I like alot of music but I mostly listen to hip hop music while I am running or working out. It just seems to get me to go. If I am lifting weights then I listen to hard rock.
Sorry I have not been writing on here for a while. As you know Sarah came to visit me and we have been rather busy. We ran a few times together and it was a great feeling. She is an awesome runner. I was very impressed.
Today I ran a 5K. I ran it at a normal pace and it was a great run. I ran it in 21 minutes which is rather slow but today was quite cold. The sky was blue but the temp was -5 C. Which is very cold where I live. I am getting into better shape, I can feel it. After Sarah came we did lots of active things and worked out alot. As you know we live in different countries. And yes I miss her alot. Right now I am going to stretch out and get those hammies loose.
August
Todays Run – 5K – 21 minutes
Stretching afterwards.
Today I ran by the church and up over a bridge, then back on the other side of the river. It was a very nice run.
Today I had my first day of track practice after being in Norway:) I miss being there with Augie already. But I am moving there YAY!!! I am so excited to live with my Monkey Man. Today it was good to see the girls again and hear how everyone’s break went. Of course they were all filled with questions about my trip and I loved getting to talk about all the fun we had together!!!
So it’s nice that August put some pictures up on the other days of the blog and I think we’ll both be a little more religious about writing at least a little bit everyday. It won’t be long until it’s marathon time in Leadville:) Anyways back to the workout. We were outside today on the track. It was the first time in a while that the whole team was outside so it was a little crowded. Here’s a summary:
I just got back from a very nice run. The sky is pure light blue today. I wish I could bottle the color and paint my room with it. The run was relaxing. I passed a few people outside their houses enjoying the nice weather. I nicely waved and was on my way. As I approached the church near the end of my route the parking lot was filled with cars. I am not sure if there is services here on a Thursday afternoon. I will have to ask August when he gets home from school. I went the same route as last night, but got to enjoy the scenery a little more today in the day light. It took me about 38 minutes to complete. I felt pretty good about it. It’s hard not to be motivated to run in such a beautiful and peaceful place. We might run together again tonight, but I’m not sure. We’ll see:)
Today I went up and tackled the mountain next to August’s house. It is said to be fast to run up it at 12 minutes. It took me 13:06 minutes. I think by the end of the trip I will be able to make it. When August got back from school we went on a trip. It was a beautiful view and we had a nice hike up the mountain. After dinner we did run tonight for about 40 minutes (8-9k). It was a really good run. August got a little sick afterwards, but I think that’s because we ate so much food for dinner. Yum. It was a really good run though. The night was mild and the wind wasn’t bad. I enjoy running with him so much:):):):) We keep talking about the marathon and how it is going to be. I know that we will both finish it and it will be a great experience for both us to share together. Every day that I’m in Norway is a 10 out of 10!!!
This is the trail going up to the mountain. Sarah did an excellent job!
It doesnt matter what she listens to, I still love her no matter what 
