Wednesday - 4/28/10

Training plan: Run 4.5 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .45
Running total - 4.5 miles
Grand total - 4.85 miles


Basic training run of 4.5 miles.. except for the 35 mph wind gusts! It was so bad that at one point I actually fell over. I could not run around the lake, which is high on a hill, due to the massive gusts. I walked a lot because it was almost impossible to run.
I would still take that over the treadmill any day!

Arbor Day Race Results

Arbor Day 5k Race results are in..

I was:
70th of 125 overall
31st of 75 women
8th of 18 in my age group

Still slow but moving up in the Penguin running world!

Saturday - 4/24/10

Race Day!

5th Annual Arbor Day 5k Trail Run
3.1 miles in :36:00

Another great race.. even though the hills were KILLER! Whoever said the course was flat wasn't quite telling the truth. The only flat section was when we crossed a road to get to more hills. It was a trail run in the true sense.. through mud, over sticks, and in the woods. I knew I wasn't going to get a PR but I was proud that I did very little walking, even on the big hills. I don't really train for hills so it was a bit of a shock to my system.

Nebraska City was beautiful with all the green trees, rolling hills, apple orchards, and lush grass. The scenery helped me keep my mind off of the dang hills!

Part of running in a race is getting a goodie bag. Some are a bit lame (my first 5k where all the pamphlets were for an assisted living home) and some are really cool (Disney water bottle, magnet, and certificate) but this one was the most unusual. The goodie bag was filled with tons of discount coupons and samples of different items.. all related to planning a wedding. There were coupons for discounts on engagement photos, wedding photo packages, bed and breakfasts, event halls, and wedding planners. There were samples of soaps, pastries, and little cakes. It was pretty strange for 200 runners to get these goodie bags. I think the Nebraska City Chamber got their bags mixed up!

I also bet there are some pretty bewildered brides who don't know what to do with all of their running coupons. Ha!

Thursday - 4/22/10

Training plan: Run 7 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - 1.64
Running total - 7.01 miles @ 1:23:50
Grand total - 8.64 miles

Holy cow, I ran 7.01 miles! I had no idea I could run that far!

Whoo hoo! It was a pretty good run and I didn't have breathing issues. My breathing was a bit tough but nothing like it has been. I did start to fade towards the end but I think that was lack of proper hydration beforehand.

I tried out the Clif Shot Bloks around mile 5 and have to say that they are not too bad. It is like eating a giant squishy square gummy bear but the taste is ok and it digested well. The only down side is that the sugar makes your teeth feel like they are wearing sweaters, which is not a good thing while running. But then again, it did give me something to concentrate on besides the mileage.

Funny what you will find to help pass the time when running long distances!

Monday - 4/19/10

Training plan: Run 3 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .69
Running total - 2 miles
Grand total - 2.69 miles

Ran 2 miles on the dreadmill to decide between two new running shoes. I really wanted to run out outside but I couldn't get the shoes dirty if I was going to return a pair. Two miles was all I could do on the treadmill before I went nutty.


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Saturday - 4/17/10

Race Day!

Lake Manawa 10k, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
6.2 miles in 1:10:11

What a fantastic day and race for my first 10k! I got a new fast time for 6.2 miles and had a really good run. I completely forgot to drink pickle juice before I left so I was a little worried about my lungs and endurance but it turned out fine. It was not as great as the infamous pickle juice run but it was close.

The weather was beautiful and the race took us around a really pretty lake and park. At one point we cut through a neighborhood where the only traffic control was a policeman on a bicycle and boy did the drivers take advantage of that. I am always shocked, and a bit angry, that people driving don't take care of the runners and even get a bit aggressive. I have been known to yell at a few of them and I yelled at a few more during this race.

I found another runner who was at my pace and we ran together for about 4 of the miles. It was nice to chat with her and to have someone to run with. She is also running the Council Bluffs Half Marathon so I may have a running partner again. I stopped at a water station and she kept going. I hated to lose her but I kept her in my sights which also helped me keep going.

It was a small race, benefiting a local school, but it was well done and so much fun.

Thursday - 4/15/10

Training plan: Run 4 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .69
Running total - 4 miles @ 43:20
Grand total - 4.69 miles

Pickle Juice.. My new secret weapon.

Back outside and running a new route. Today I went into a section of the neighborhood that had a few small hills, which I probably will pay for tomorrow. Overall it was a pretty good run and I think I really like the 4 mile distance. It is just longer than a 5k to be challenging but also easy to do. Even after the 1/2 Marathon when I drop down my mileage I think I will keep running 4 miles as a base.

I keep reading about different runners drinking pickle juice before running so I decided to try it out. The calcium chloride, potassium, and other additives are just what runners need to ward off muscle cramps and help with endurance. A couple of studies even said that pickle juice is better for runners than Gatorade!

I dont know if it was the placebo effect or truly the pickle juice but this was the best run EVER. My lungs were perfect, I had no problems breathing whatsoever, and felt like I could run for miles. I imagine this is what the runners high feels like.. my high just comes from pickle juice and not distance.

Regardless, Vlasic rocks!

Wednesday - 4/14/10

Training plan: Run 4 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .55
Running total - 4 miles @ 43:44
Grand total - 4.55 miles

Today I worked up the courage to run in my Vibram Five Fingers. I have been wearing them around, trying to get use to them, and trying to work up the courage to run. I ran on the treadmill, just in case. Boy, I forgot how much I hate the dreadmill! I had only planned on going 2 miles because I didn't want to over do it in the shoes but I was feeling good and went to 4 miles.

We are so brainwashed to think that when running we need these big padded shoes to be able to run properly and protect our feet. Studies are now showing that barefoot running is so much better for you and will actually cure most of the knee, ankle, and foot problems that runners have. It definitely has helped with my plantar fasciitis.

I dont think I would ever have the courage to run a race in these but I definitely will keep wearing them around and while training.


Chris thinks they are the most ridiculous shoes ever.

Ridiculously awesome maybe!

Sunday - 4/11/10

Training plan: Run 3.5 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .60
Running total - 3.5 miles @ 37:50
Grand total - 4.10 miles

Just a quick training run around our lake. Not a very fast time but I was pleased with the run.

Friday - 4/09/10

Training plan: Run 6 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - 1.10 miles
Running total - 6 miles @ 1:11:01
Grand total - 7.10 miles

Today was a much better run. My lungs were not as bad and I had more energy. My shoes are shot though and I really felt it in my knees and shins. Picking out new running shoes is so hard to do so I might just get a new pair of the same ones. They have served me well!

I am behind on my half marathon training but I expected that with having an injury. I am not going to stress out about it. I can only do my best and be has ready as I can be. Today made me feel a bit better about it all though, even though I still am waking some.

6 miles in 1:11 is a new personal best for me!

Thursday - 4/08/10

Training plan: Walk 40 minutes.

Walking total - 5.1 miles at 1:13 and 51 seconds.

I got a new waking/running leash for the dogs and it is awesome. There is a belt that goes around my waist and then has a springy leash that attaches to the belt and the dog. It allows you to be hands free when running.

Although I am not sure if I am walking the dogs or if the dogs are walking me!

Disco and I walked 5.1 miles in the neighborhood next to ours. I actually wanted the hills and that area is the ultimate in steep. I am not sure Disco appreciated it though.

We had a great time.. until he decided to go after a goose..a ceramic goose..with me still attached to him. It must have bee a funny sight to see him Border Collie excited about a ceramic goose and pulling me across someones front yard while falling all over myself.

Wednesday - 4/07/10

Training plan: Run 4.5 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .50
Running total - 4.5 miles @ 58:11
Grand total - 5.0 miles

4.5 miles at 58 minutes.

That averages about 13 minutes a mile. YIKES!

Sunday - 4/4/10

Training plan: Run 4 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .61
Running total - 4 miles @ 44:22
Grand total - 4.61

I just can't seem to get away from the 4 miles at 44 minutes. I think I really need to get back to interval training. I now realize what a difference it makes with my lung capicity and conditioning.

Todays run was at Zorinsky lake which was a beautiful place to run. It was a bit hillier than I thought it would be and there were a lot of bicyclers to avoid but it was still a nice change of scenery. Addison practiced riding her bike with Chris helping so we made a family day of it.

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Thursday - 4/1/10

Training plan: Run 5 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .61
Running total - 5 miles @ 58:00
Grand total - 5.61

Not a very good run since I walked a good bit of it. I hated doing that but it was probably a good idea for my foot.

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Wednesday - 3/31/10

Back in the saddle (running shoe) again!

Whooo hoo! I am so happy to ditch the boot and get back to running! The additional xays showed that it was inconclusive, meaning no bone growth but there was something funny looking. It could have been just a bad xray for whatever was funny looking but the no bone growth means no true break! I am now in a small boot that will still support my ankle and foot but also allow me to get back to moving around. I was cleared for exercise but also told to take it slow.

So, in true Corey form, I went out and ran 4 miles. It did feel a bit stiff and sore but it was not as bad as I thought it might be.

Although I do see where I have lost some of my lung capacity and lost some of the conditioning. It was a tough run for my lungs and I had a hard time breathing. Who cares though.. I am running again!

Training plan: Run 4 miles. Warm up and cool down.

Warm up/Cool down - .41
Running total - 4 miles @ 45:23
Grand total - 4.41