Turkey Trot!

Yesterday Isabel and I ran the Turkey Trot, a four-mile run from the Zoo down to the Rose Garden and back. I used my new shoes and took an ibuprofen, which seemed to help. It was cold and rainy, of course, though most of the rain held off until just after we finished the run. It took us about 47 minutes, so just about a 12-minute mile, which is pretty standard. I noticed that in our part of the crowd, anyway, we were among the very few who actually ran the hills (slowly) instead of walking them and then sprinting ahead when the going got easier. Sour grapes? I am just happy and proud that we did the whole thing without walking. I did it last year, too, but it was easier this time.

Week 12, Day 2: Run 10, walk 1, three times

We ran this at Grant Park in the dark and rain. My hip was really bugging me this time. I decided to skip the next run to rest up for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. I asked my doctor about the hip pain and did some research on the web and ended up buying a new pair of running shoes. My old ones were pretty worn out, so maybe that will help. I've also been doing some stretches. I think I'll try some ibuprofen before the Turkey Trot, and if the pain doesn't go away soon I will go see a specialist of some kind. I don't want this to stop me from running!

Week 12, day 1: Run 50 minutes

This was the first day of an "easy rest week" (50 minutes?). We ran it on Leif Erickson. It wasn't so bad, at all, except that my right hip was feeling worse. It did not rain, and was, in fact, sunny. We pushed Melina in the stroller and she slept for almost the entire 50 minutes, which was a gift.

Week 11, Day 3: Run 20, walk 1, run 15, walk 1, run 10

I ran this in Del Mar and a little beach town next to Del Mar in the glorious sunny 77 degree weather. It was so nice (though hard to run by myself, and kind of hot actually!). I ran north along Highway 101 on a nice bike/running path and then cut in and went to the beach, where I did the 15 minute leg running back and forth on the beach. Then I did the rest in a neighborhood near the beach. I could feel my hip hurting me a bit. Also, I cheated a little and took more than 1 minute between legs because I had to wait for traffic lights and find my way to the beach. But I did do it despite being at a Council meeting. And it wasn't in the pouring rain, for once.

Week 11, Day 2: Run 10, walk 1, four times

We ran this on Sunday, November 12, just before I caught a plane to San Diego for work. It was absolutely miserably cold and pouring. Jeff bundled up Melina and took her for a hike with the backpack while we ran. The run itself wasn't too bad, though my hip was hurting me a bit.

Week 11, Day 1: Run 40, walk 1, run 20

We ran this at Grant Park, but I cheated and stopped after 40 minutes because Melina was having an absolute meltdown. It was time for her nap and she wasn't going to go to sleep in the stroller. I promised myself I would run the remaining 20 minutes later in the day, but I never did. It was pouring rain.

Week 10, Day 3: Run 20, walk 1, run 15, walk 1, run 10

This was another comparatively easy run that we did (today) in the pouring rain. The temperature was about 10 degrees lower than on Sunday and my shoes were leaking a bit, so it was uncomfortable. It seemed really easy, though - I think we even went faster than usual! Melina spent the hour at the Goodmans'.

This is the last run that I completed when I did this program last year. Afterward, I took about 10 days off and then ran the Turkey Trot, which I managed to do without stopping (4 miles). Apparently I "barely" managed to do this run last year. It was much, much easier today. Probably due to more consistent running, lower weight, and the company of a friend.

Week 10, Day 2: Run 10, walk 1, four times

This run seemed pretty easy (funny to remember when it seemed hard!). We ran at night on November 5 (Sunday) because there was no other time to go that day (and of course it was raining - it's been raining for at least a week straight). The weather was warm, though, so it wasn't too bad. It was a little creepy running at night at the track, though - not sure if we'll do it again. We need to find a track with lighting, but I haven't been able to find any online. My parents were staying at our house, so they watched M. while we ran. I didn't think it was necessary to subject her to the lousy weather.

Week 10, Day 1: Run 30, walk 1, run 30

We ran this one in the pouring rain at Grant Park on November 3. It was pretty long - I could tell my body was getting tired as we got into the middle of the second leg. My parents watched Melina.