Shoot for the Stars

Paradise, CA. 5:49 a.m. We had to start a little earlier a.m. because we were planning to run the semi long run this morning before Dad goes to work. Ran from home to PHS and on track and back. I carried water bottles this time and had an energy bar before hand and during for extra push. I was not feeling as great this morning. I felt fine until about mile 6ish and then my L knee started to hurt. It was not bad at first but then gradually got worse until had to just walk. I sure hope it is not going to be a major problem! I ran about almost 7 miles on track. Then half mile to the track. I had to walk home. I iced it and been trying leg exercises. I won't run tomorrow at all or do any strenuous activities. It was very frustrating for me not to finish the 10 miles I was hoping to run:( Pain seemed to be more right below the knee cap this time and more inside versus outside. Didn't feel like the IT band this time.

TT: 1:11:22                      Avg: 9:43                      Max: 7:26

Splits: 10:24, 9:41, 9:37, 9:34, 9:26, 9:18, 9:43, 10:37

Paradise, CA. Ran with dad 6:12 a.m. from home to PHS track. I was trying my run for the first time after I injured it on Wed to see if I could run a long run. I ran about 3-4 miles into it and then my knee started hurting again. L knee on inside to back of knee. I had to start doing walk/run walk/run sets but still hurt so I eventually had to just walk. I walked the way from PHS back home. That was so depressing! Dad ran 20 miles on the track by himself. Go dad! His determination and attitude really impresses me and inspires me to do better. I will just work on getting me knee back into shape again and won't dwell on "what ifs." I will keep training but will cut back some so it has time to heal.

TT: 1:00:38                         Avg: 10:19 min.                     Max: 7:22 min.

Splits: 10:40, 10:15, 10:07, 10:21, 10:24, 10:08

Hemlock Rd. Ran usual loop (home-rd, loop, and back). Then ran 3 loops in apt. complex to make it a complete 3 miles. About 5:30 p.m. after work. I was very tired and unmotivated but I ran after work. I had a granola bar to help with my blood sugar because I didn't have time at work to eat lunch. Took it easy just to see if I could do 3 miles without aggrevating my knee. My knee did start to hurt some, same spot, L knee inside at about the end of mile 1. Then somewhere near there and near the end my R knee hurt a tiny bit but went away. Both the pain in both legs did go away so I was able to complete my run. :) somewhat encouraged.

TT: 29:16                            Avg: 9:41 min.                        Max: 7:21 min.

Splits: 9:31, 9:46, 9:44, 9:59 (last number was just .3/mile)

Roegner Park. Ran solo today because I wasn't sure how my knee was going to do. I wore my knee brace on the L knee. It was all just a trial run. I ended up being able to run further than I thought I could with very little pain. It wasn't until mile 10+ where my knee started hurting me more. It was actually my opposite knee in the front direct that was sharp pain that made me stop. My L knee was slightly bothersome on mile 5 but it seemed to go away and wasn't as drastic. I learned to stop and walk when I felt some real pain to not further injure myself. It was a nice day for a run! Cloudy but not too cold. Lot of independant runners and a couple running together. A lot of disc golfers out as well + the walking dog clan. Felt a lot of endurance; just too bad I couldn' t complete the 15 miles but I was just shooting for as much as I could get. I will try for my longer run next week (fingers crossed). Felt pretty good today.

TT: about 2 hours (my gps wasn't as accurate because I walked a couple of miles after and forgot to stop it before I got into my car and started to drive.)

Avg: 10:17 min.                        Max: ?

Splits: 9:23, 9:22, 9:33, 9:39, 9:57, 11:35, 9:36, 9:40, 10:01, 10:34, 11:31 (miles, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 I believe I walked some) Then after 10-11 miles I walked about another 2 because if pain in knee)

ARSHS. Ran on track early a.m  5:30 ish. Foggy, light mist. Was worried about knee if it would be bothersome. I wore L knee brace. Ran 5 miles on track=15 laps on track. 2 miles one directions then 2 miles other direction; then last mile switched directions again. Felt pretty good this a.m. no walks. No pain:) Felt pretty good. No one out this early; only saw a couple of bikers and a person walking dog at elementary school.

TT: 44:35                                   Avg: 8:55                         Max: 6:15

Splits: 8:54, 9:12, 8:51, 8:48, 8:48

ARSHS. Ran on track again at about 5:30 a.m. This time I tried without brace on L knee. I seemed to do okay. I was worried on the first lap or so because some slight pain already started but it dissipated quickly. I was so happy about that! I was able to finish the 15 laps=5 miles on track. 2 miles on direction, 2 the other direction, last mile opposite direction. Felt pretty good. Foggy, misty again.

TT: 44:45                               Avg: 8:57                            Max: 7:25

Splits: 9:08, 9:04, 8:59, 8:42, 8:50

Game Farm Park. 4:30 p.m. after work in Enumclaw. Weather was yucky; misty, slight rain and kind of humid. Still had a great run though! My goal was 10 miles today and I completed it!!!!! I am so happy about a semi long run before my long run on Sunday (fingers crossed on no pain). I ran 10 laps around Game Farm park. It was kinda the same thing but I didn't mind it too much even doing the laps. It was too muddy/wet to do Roegner today. There weren't many people at first but then lots of people started coming in to take their kids to soccer practice and such. Busy busy. I did take 2 short breaks during the run. Mile 6 I had to take a bathroom break and then  mile 7 I took a quick break to drink some water because I forgot my water bottle packs.

TT: 1:28:40                               Avg: 8:52                          Max: 3:52 ? That can't be right?

Splits: 8:52, 8:58, 9:13, 9:04, 9:06, 8:55, 8:54, 8:35, 8:41, 8:21

The Landing, Renton. Ran with the Balanced Athlete. We ran along 405 hwy. Most of the group just did a short run and then turned around. The group that went the furthest was only 5 miles and then they turned around, Dean, one of the store operators, and another girl. I had to keep running by myself. That was rough! I ran all the way to Bellevue, to the Bravern-Neiman Marcus shopping center. I did 4 laps around the shopping center to increase my distance so it would be almost exactly 20 miles round trip. I ran the same route on the way back. I would say I felt more tired than usual starting out. I got a little runners high at about 10-13 + miles but when I hit 14 it started to bother me. On top of that it started to pour down rain on me. Not just a little down pour but a big one! Sucked but at the same time was invigorating! It definetly cooled me off. From about mile 15 on up I had to take short walk breaks. My legs were just aching/hurting behind the max. It wasn't a sharp pain luckily so I kept running. I took Perpetulum electrolyte mix in one water bottle, water in another, and extra water bottle, and some energy chomps by Gu. I think they did really help. Such a tough tough run but so glad I am done! I am now done with all my longer training, next longer run THE MARATHON!!  (hopefully I'll be ready for it--it still scares me) To think I have to run an extra 6 miles on top of what i did today...wow....

TT: 3:16:43                               Avg: 9:50 min.                       Max: 6:17 min.

Splits: 9:29, 9:07, 8:58, 9:05, 9:23, 9:45, 9:47, 10:08, 10:15, 10:53, 10:19, 9:46, 9:28, 9:31, 10:21, 9:25, 10:14, 10:07, 10:26, 10:07 (My times were all over....sad about the 10 min miles but happy I didn't go too fast as to injure myself--mainly happy I finished, mile 3 was faster because I was running with another girl who does hot yoga and she turned around to head back and I sped up to catch up with group. Some miles were slower because I had to walk some)

ARHS. Early a.m. Not much sleep so very tough to get going. Once I got running I did okay but excited to get home and go back to bed if I don't work. Foggy and kinda cold starting out. Wore jacket for the first mile and then took off. Legs felt good except a little stiff from Sunday. About 18+ laps. (8 one direction, 8 another direction, then 2+ the other way).

TT: 44:11                              Avg: 8:50 min.                      Max: 7:50 min.

Splits: 8:59, 8:55, 8:48, 8:46, 8:41 (very happy with my pace and perfectly getting faster each mile!)

ARHS. Early a.m. Very foggy and kinda chilly this am but mainly due to the moisture in the air. Again, hard to get up this morning-still not getting to bed early enough to wake up at 5 ish. Decided to either do hills this a.m. or push myself on the track. Decided for a faster run on the track. I felt the difference and was terribly worn out! Saw guy walking his 2 dogs early this morning near elementary school.

TT: 32:32 Avg: 8:08 min. Max: 6:45 min.

Splits: 8:18, 8:18, 8:02, 7:53 (yeah!!!!)

Roegner Park. No rain! It was just slightly cloudy and some sprinkles before I ran. Ran at about 9:15 a.m. No work today so was able to do my long run mid morning. Saw some disc golfers, walkers, and a sad situation. The sad situation was a black lab laying in the road and a lady holding and stroking his head. Then I saw a couple police cars over there. I think the dog got hit by a car; the owner looked so sad....Running wise: I had a pretty good run but was thinking the 8 miles would fly by so quick but not fast enough. Ran the regular out and back loop twice without the extra stretch past parking area. Then I tried something new and ran the last mile or less up the hill going up to lakeland hills. ouch! That was brutal but I did it slow without stopping. I got a little past mill pond loop and then turned around then when down a new path behind the tennis courts. No knee pain. well slight on my R knee front but not worriesome.

TT: 1:12:09                            Avg: 9:01                       Max: 7:04

Splits: 8:49, 9:00, 8:45, 9:01, 8:48, 8:53, 8:53, 9:59 (Last mile was up a hill)

Roegner Park. 7:00 a.m. I got up and ran earlier than usual because I wanted to to go to Puyallup Fair with friends which never happened due to weather so we were planning this a.m. to go. It was yucky out there even when I woke up. It was rainning pretty steadily. I still made myself get up, despite going to bed at midnight last night and eating 2 slices of pizza....lol. I had to get my run in! Ran solo at the park. It pretty much poured on me the first 3-4 miles then let up some. I stuck my hat in the car bc i thought it was done but none the less starting raining again on mile 6 and near the end on mile 10ish. I just started to ignore it and focus on my run.! I was shocked to see some other people out there running as well! I thought I was the only goon out there! lol. There were 2 young ladies running togehter, one man all bundled up in rain jacket, and a hispanic man. The younger ladies i said good job behind them but I think I scared one. I said "sorry!" Then near the end I was done so they passed me and asked out far I was running. They ran 9 miles and me 12. I didn't have too much pain except mile 8 I got some slight pain on R knee and then usual spot on inside of L knee so I slowed my pace down some and it seemed to help. I started out pretty fast and I know I wanted to keep a faster pace....hopefully that was okay. I know on marathon day I want to start out WAY slower..! I just get too excited sometimes. I was to keep a steady pace in 2 weeks. Portland Marathon here I come! (yikes!)

TT: 1:46:27                            Avg: 8:52 min.                          Max: 6:05 min.

Splits: 8:52, 9:00, 8:47, 8:53, 9:06, 8:50, 8:44, 9:06, 9:06, 8:57, 8:54, 8:12

Hemlock Rd. No work today so slept in until 9ish. Got up and went for a run between 9-10 a.m. It was very muggy out this morning and made it a difficult run. I just felt blaa. I had to wear my older running shoes because my other ones were still soaking went from my run Sunday in the pouring rain. I didn't want to do that but decided to chance it. I got some slight pain in knees that I could tell could be a problem if it was a longer run; luckily just 4 miles so I was okay. Did the loop twice for 4 miles.

TT: 36:19                             Avg: 9:03 min                       Max: 6:56 min

Splits: 8:53, 9:25, 9:04, 8:51

ARSHS. Early a.m. Foggy. Kinda cold due to moisture in the air. I wore my light rain jacket for the first mile until I warmed up and then took it off. I felt tired from last night so the 3 miles were tough even though it was just 3 miles. Felt good to have a shorter run for once. No pain in knees:)  8 laps around the track one direction and then 3 more the other direction. There were soccer goals on my lane 5 so I had to run around it which made a slightly longer time around the track so it ended up being perfect as far as laps-exactly 11 laps!

TT: 25:31                         Avg: 8:29 min.                    Max: 7:01 min.

Splits: 8:53, 8:33, 8:01 (I like the increase in speed even though I was tired, I pushed!)

Game Farm Park. 10 a.m. ish. No work today. Went for a nice run. Perfect weather for a run, cloudy, cool, but not cold. I hope that it is like this on Oct. 10! I felt good today and I kept the pace very well but I was constantly checking my GPS to make sure I was on target. I wanted to start out slower and then gradually get faster in my run. I felt like I accomplished that pretty well today and with no pains again. I did the full loop that goes back along the river. I did 4 laps and then a very small lap to finish. Only a little over a week until the marathon! And exactly 1 week from today I will be running my last run before the BIG race!

TT: 54:11                    Avg: 9:01                      Max: 5:39

Splits: 9:30, 9:24, 9:12, 9:02, 8:50, 8:09