10 years ago
Dec 28 - The Bix
My father in-law and I went to go pick up Pizza for our last night in Iowa. My father in-law is planning on running the Bix this summer. It is a 7 mile course in Davenport, IA and is famous for runners in the area. Thousands of runners, run the Bix each year. He took me on the drive for the course. The course was quite a bit hiller than Murfreesboro. The start line and finish line is on a large hill with numerous smaller hills throughout the course. Heather really wants to go up to Iowa to be there when he runs the race. I am considering running the race as well. It will be a run in July. It is going to be very hot. I'll train for that over the summer.
Dec 27 - New Shoes and NIKE Plus
As a gift for Christmas my in-laws were very gracious and gave me a gift card to a specialty shoe store in Davenport, IA as well as runners headphones. I really needed the runners headphones. My other headphones were falling out of ears while I was running; it was really frustrating.
I really needed some good running shoes. I had been running with my regular tennis shoes. It was time to get my race shoes and break them in for the race.
Also, Kevin McCormick my brother in-law had told me about a device you can put in your shoes that is wirelessly connected to your IPOD so that it tells you through your headphones the mile your on and your pace.
In getting my shoes I wanted to make sure I got this device.
Heather and I went over to the specialty running store. The sales clerk knew exactly what I was talking about. The shoe I got with the gift card has a slot to put the device in my shoe; it is underneath the sole.
I really needed some good running shoes. I had been running with my regular tennis shoes. It was time to get my race shoes and break them in for the race.
Also, Kevin McCormick my brother in-law had told me about a device you can put in your shoes that is wirelessly connected to your IPOD so that it tells you through your headphones the mile your on and your pace.
In getting my shoes I wanted to make sure I got this device.
Heather and I went over to the specialty running store. The sales clerk knew exactly what I was talking about. The shoe I got with the gift card has a slot to put the device in my shoe; it is underneath the sole.
Dec 26 - Run in the snow
For Christmas every year since Heather and I have been married we have gone to Iowa. We have established a tradition in which we stay at home on Christmas Eve so Santa Claus can come visit the kids at home. We get up Christmas morning bright and early and see what Santa Claus and brought all of us. After opening all the gifts we all get to play with our gifts and enjoy our time. Then by the time the kids have played with everything once, we leave home and head to the airport. We catch a plane to my inlaws in Davenport, Iowa. Most of the time we arrive at their house around 5:00 or 6:00 and then Christmas keeps going for the kids. Our kids love it! Christmas lasts all day long for them. Plus, they love flying on a plane. This year was a bit different. In the past we have been flying from Atlanta. Atlanta has a direct flight to Moline, IL (The airport of my in-laws). But, not that we are in Nashville we have to lay over. The funny thing is that we layed over in (guess where?), you guessed it - Atlanta. I originally booked the flight for us to lay over in Memphis. Memphis was less busy with less chance of winter weather. The airline changed the times of our flight and we had a choice of Atlanta or Chicago. Chicago is significantly closer, but has a good chance of bad weather. (By the way it did snow in Chicago) So I choose Atlanta. It all worked out. We actually arrive a bit early. When we arrived it was snowing fairly hard. At least we get to have half of a white Christmas. I did not schedule to run on Christmas day. I figured flying through Atlanta on the way to Iowa with the 3 kids with all the luggage was workout enough. (It was a real workout)
Today is my long run (9 miles). Before heading up to Iowa I found a website in which I could plan out a run based on distance. I planned out a course in which I ran from my in-laws house to the Mississippi River and then back up to the in-laws house. With google maps I was able to check the roads that have sidewalks. To keep on track with the training I had to run the course. It was snowing.
I got decked out for a winter run in the snow. Heather had gone to Target and purchased another winter hat. So I didn't have to wear the bring pink hat. This was going to be my longest run so far. It started out fairly fun. Most of the sidewalks had already been cleared. Up in Iowa they clear the roads and sidewalks as it is snowing. It seemed to snow a few inches while I was running.
I got down to the Mississippi River and tryed to remember how I was suppose to get back. I ran all around downtown Davenport and headed back to the in-laws house. The run down to the river near the IMAX theater had a large downhill. I had to slow down and walk down the slope to make sure I didn't slip and fall and hurt myself.
I tried to remember the course I had drawn out. I knew most of the roads heading north had to the Davenport Mall area, but I wanted to make sure I didn't end up on a road without a sidewalk or area to run. Running in the grass wouldn't work since there was about 3 -4 inches of snow on the ground during this run.
I ended up running up Marquette Street. I didn't plan on heading up this street. Marquette street was a great road to run on until we past where the old K's used to be. Then the street heads into a neighborhood. Marquette street near Kimberly did not have a sidewalk to get across the street. So I had to try to climb up a large slope up to the street to push the button to cross the street. I slipped multiple times and couldn't get up the slope. I then had to add some more distance to get around the slope.
I didn't prepare as I should have. I had no water during the run. I looked around and there was snow everywhere. I decided to eat snow to get some water. The snow was fresh because it was actually snowing at the time. The snow was good. It melted and the cold water really felt good. (Normal water would have been better, but it worked).
When I got into the neighborhood off of Marquette street my sidewalk ended. I ended up needing to head off into the grass in 3 - 4 inches of snow. The snow forced me to lift my feet significantly off the ground. It added some difficulty I was not used to.
In this run, I knew I had run a lot more than the 9 miles that I needed to run. I ran most of the run. I did walk quite a bit in this run, especially when I was in the snow. I did not know who much I distance I had covered. It was a long long run.
When I got back at the in-laws house, I went to the website and mapped out the run. I had covered a total distance of 12.2 miles! It took me a long time. In fact when I arrived at the in-laws house Heather was getting ready to leave and come find me thinking I had injured myself. I was ok. The snow really slowed me down.
No wonder I struggled so much on the run I had run 3.2 miles farther then I had planned.
Today is my long run (9 miles). Before heading up to Iowa I found a website in which I could plan out a run based on distance. I planned out a course in which I ran from my in-laws house to the Mississippi River and then back up to the in-laws house. With google maps I was able to check the roads that have sidewalks. To keep on track with the training I had to run the course. It was snowing.
I got decked out for a winter run in the snow. Heather had gone to Target and purchased another winter hat. So I didn't have to wear the bring pink hat. This was going to be my longest run so far. It started out fairly fun. Most of the sidewalks had already been cleared. Up in Iowa they clear the roads and sidewalks as it is snowing. It seemed to snow a few inches while I was running.
I got down to the Mississippi River and tryed to remember how I was suppose to get back. I ran all around downtown Davenport and headed back to the in-laws house. The run down to the river near the IMAX theater had a large downhill. I had to slow down and walk down the slope to make sure I didn't slip and fall and hurt myself.
I tried to remember the course I had drawn out. I knew most of the roads heading north had to the Davenport Mall area, but I wanted to make sure I didn't end up on a road without a sidewalk or area to run. Running in the grass wouldn't work since there was about 3 -4 inches of snow on the ground during this run.
I ended up running up Marquette Street. I didn't plan on heading up this street. Marquette street was a great road to run on until we past where the old K's used to be. Then the street heads into a neighborhood. Marquette street near Kimberly did not have a sidewalk to get across the street. So I had to try to climb up a large slope up to the street to push the button to cross the street. I slipped multiple times and couldn't get up the slope. I then had to add some more distance to get around the slope.
I didn't prepare as I should have. I had no water during the run. I looked around and there was snow everywhere. I decided to eat snow to get some water. The snow was fresh because it was actually snowing at the time. The snow was good. It melted and the cold water really felt good. (Normal water would have been better, but it worked).
When I got into the neighborhood off of Marquette street my sidewalk ended. I ended up needing to head off into the grass in 3 - 4 inches of snow. The snow forced me to lift my feet significantly off the ground. It added some difficulty I was not used to.
In this run, I knew I had run a lot more than the 9 miles that I needed to run. I ran most of the run. I did walk quite a bit in this run, especially when I was in the snow. I did not know who much I distance I had covered. It was a long long run.
When I got back at the in-laws house, I went to the website and mapped out the run. I had covered a total distance of 12.2 miles! It took me a long time. In fact when I arrived at the in-laws house Heather was getting ready to leave and come find me thinking I had injured myself. I was ok. The snow really slowed me down.
No wonder I struggled so much on the run I had run 3.2 miles farther then I had planned.
Dec 19 - The Green Way
Today I ran 8 miles. My longest run so far. It was a "long run". A long run is one in which you try to your pace near the goal pace for the race.
This was my first run on Murfreesboro's greenway. Murfreesboro has an extensive greenway on the banks of the Stone's River. The greenway goes through the woods and have some great views. I ran from Thompson Lane greenway entrance to the Old Fort playground and back to the Thompson Lane entrance.
This was my first run on Murfreesboro's greenway. Murfreesboro has an extensive greenway on the banks of the Stone's River. The greenway goes through the woods and have some great views. I ran from Thompson Lane greenway entrance to the Old Fort playground and back to the Thompson Lane entrance.
Dec 2009 - Run with Michael
I had a great idea I wanted Michael to come with me. I thought it would be fun to go to the greenway. Michael could ride his bike and I would run. I would be able to spend some time with Michael. The first 4 miles were great. He rode ahead and then ride before he got out of sight he would stop and wait on me. We went from Thompson Lane to the Fort playground. When we got to the playground Michael and I played together. It was a lot of fun!! The only thing is that it was around 35 degrees outside. On the green way by the river it felt a lot colder than that. Michael did not want to ride his bike back. He has done it before. We had rode the green way on numerous occasions. So the last 4 miles Michael sat on his bike while I pushed his handlebars the last 4 miles. That was a long way. Of course, I did not run pushing Michael. But, it was a good work out for sure. We really got cold going back. Both Michael and I were very excited when we got back.
Dec 8 - The wind and rain
Today I only ran 2 miles, but it was tough. Today was a short run. A short run is considered a run in which I try to run at a faster pace then normal. It rained very hard and was about 40 degrees tonight. When I started running it was raining, but at about mile 1 the bucket dropped. It was raining so hard that I couldn't see very far in front of me and the wind was blowing really hard. At times the rain was almost going sideways. This was a hard run. I ran through it and was glad when I got back home. I was drenched. I learned that my IPOD is tough. I kept it in my IPOD in my pocket and kept it mostly dry. The IPOD made it through it. I was worried.
Dec 5 - Christmas Time is Here
This evening I ran 7 miles which is my longest run so far. It was really really cold when I ran tonight. The temperature at home was 25 degrees when I left to run. I figure I'll be running quite a bit when it is cold so I need to figure this out. I tryed run with sweatpants and layers on top. It seemed to work ok. It is a lot of clothing to wear when I am running! It seemed to slow me way down. I wore way too much tonight. I was burning up after mile 3. I took one of the layers off and left it in the bushes at someone's house. I drove over after I finish the run and picked it up. I need to a winter hat to wear tonight. The other night I ran with my winter hat on and it was very sweaty so we washed and dryed it. It shrunk. I needed to wear a hat because it was so cold. I had to wear what I could find. Only thing avialable was a bright pink Titans winter hat. Didn't bother me because I was running at night.
Running is starting to become a bit more scenic as many decorate their houses for Christmas. I am learning which houses are more decorated then others. My favorite so far is one house that created a runway and has a blow up airplane with Santa in landing I figure as I get closer to Christmas I'll see more lights.
Running is starting to become a bit more scenic as many decorate their houses for Christmas. I am learning which houses are more decorated then others. My favorite so far is one house that created a runway and has a blow up airplane with Santa in landing I figure as I get closer to Christmas I'll see more lights.
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