January ends today...

Total month: 136 mile
Today 12.6 3.6 at the beach at 12:22,and 9 at 10:43
It wasn't as energize as last Sunday, but of course those were only 5 miles and no beach. Still my pace has improved thanks to this new shoes, they are definitely better for me. On Sunday I can tell I felt the speed for the first time ever.
The run was not that good, like one of those days when it is hard and you can't go enjoying as you wish. I don't know where exactly the problem was.
Today was sunnier than other days so I have to take that on count. It still too much of my energy.
In general I think my legs were some lazy. Felt them some sore from time to time, but they are fine now, which is the most important. My left knee gave me some problems on Sunday. I treat myself using a band and automassage. It helped a lot. Today is the turn for the right knee... As it continues random well I might say is better than it stays without leaving only in one place. The ankle appears to be getting use to it finally.
A 10:43 pace places me definitely improving since my normal pace last weeks for distances around 9 are always higher than 11:30!!
This will be an easy week. My afternoon group cancel three of four sessions this week as there are some events at school, so I will save and use this energy while running. Lucky me!!
I change my photo again, I have to say that I hate to sign on blogs with such a big photo, but I haven't figured out how to make it smaller and still make it look fine, sorry I will keep trying to learn how to do it... Event worst is to put graphics on the side bar, well, for me...grrrrrr.

Like the first time I've run

Friday after the run was somehow hard. In fact for some moments I couldn't walk... Of course this was just for a few minutes. I put ice and took a pill and I was fine then. On Saturday my right knee was some sore, continue with the self treatment and that made me arise this morning prepared for the next run.
Today I ran 5 miles. I have new shoes again. A great sale on Amazon!! 36 only for an adidas pair!! Definitely I needed them.
As soon as I started at the beginning felt them some hard. They are my first adidas, I've always used nike. While starting to walk felt them some hard. The first mile I discovered a great sensation while going FASTER!
It is the fastest I've ever run. First made 2 miles 10:24 average.
Then settled Garmin's virtual partner, for the second time since I have it. (It didn't worked the first time.)
I don't know if it measures so wrong on the virtual partner, but it said my average on 3 miles was 9:23. I know that I was definitely faster than any other time, wow it felt so good, but is it possible to jump one minute over your normal pace?
Is it because the stronger training? The new shoes? The joy??
Or just another of Garmin's tricks...

Great training under clouds.

Sometimes while running I am talking with the clouds asking them for help covering the sun. Not today: it was nicely cloudy and fresh!!!
Started early, walked only 5 minutes instead of the normal 15. I just wanted to start! I had scheduled 16 miles run.
I think this is the best run I ever made, not to mention the speed, but still the best since I didn't walked at all and for the whole run felt strong. Now I've discovered that for going on long runs the secret is to drink and replenish with fuels to continue. I made it every half an hour. The last 25 minutes the fuel was over and it was when I started feeling tired for the first time on the entire run.
I made four technical stops. They of course were brief. One to the bathroom, grrrrr!! Other to change my shoes after the beach, to leave my 2.0 lt camel pack depleted and drink. The last one only for drinking. I used for the first time a endurance sport drink instead of the gel and since it doesn't have caffeine there is a difference but it feels good.
The rate of my sweating is astonished. As I said I drank 2 liters on one hour and a half, and still my mouth was some dry. It could be because I am breathing with my mouth open sometimes, but still I was absolutely soaked at the end, you can't imagine, I avoid to be close to anyone on my way back home. And there was no sun today! Imagine on a sunny day, I would finish melted.
I am feeling more confident about me. I was thinking while running that I trust about my strength more now. Many times I've thought that if running a marathon could really be something that I could accomplish. But is definitely seems like this harder weeks are paying off and that I am growing, I can feel it!!!
Garmina-Garmina, behaved so bad.... Its feminine side was always in a different mood. I programmed it to auto lap on every mile, and it finally gave this illogical numbers:
13:14, 14:19, 0.94m-14:13, 0.71m-11:19, 0.10m-12:03, back to the hotel area, 10:53, 10:44, 11:00, 10:39, 10:43, 10:31, 0.72m-10:17, 10:47, 10:34, 0.63m-10:10, 10:54, 0.98m-11:00, 11:03, 11:01, 0.92m-11:46.
It auto lap yes, but when ever she wanted too, she is so moody! I tell you this is its feminine side.
I sticked to the final numbers (to its masculine side) because I need to and because it is good to have some advise and at least a clue on my runs... Besides it could not be completely reliable.
Total was 18 miles!!!
3:24:10. 2135 cal, 11:21 pace.

A fantasy workout!

I had to go to the gym this morning. I took this odd option since I couldn't sleep well again, I wasn't completely convinced of going but Luis encouragement me to.
The treadmill numbers were wrong. I noted this of course from the beginning when 5m/h was walking. I continue anyway and thought of going ahead for about 45 min for a 4 mile workout.
I had to go on 9m/h and made some splits at 10, but as I said, numbers were wrong. For moments I pretended this numbers were real and that I could accomplish 7'30 sec miles!!! I dreamt I was CJ!!!
I don't know if it was because of the change of surface, but my right Achilles gave me so much trouble there at the treadmill... grrrrrr! This was completely unexpected!
I put the incline on 5, and incredibly I managed to run!! On that I felt confident the numbers were ok.

Focus, focus, go, go!!

Friday night couldn't sleep. I woke up as many other times at 3:00am, it happens often. Hate it. Specially since I know how important is to sleep well to run better. For that reason I took a melatonine pill on saturday night, but I had it too late and in the morning I was so sleepy that couldn't wake up for my Sunday run. Grrrr!
The worst is that this time it wasn't a lack of energy or because an injury.
Anyway, the non running option made me feel so bad until this morning when I ran again. Yesterday my brain wasn't working normally, there was something missing, definitely it was running on Sunday morning. Running is so escencial in my life now that I think I would be crazy if I couldn't do it...
Yesterday pm kickboxing, abs and stretching.
This morning, 9 miles!!
Breathing was some hard, but still I enjoyed my run a lot, specially the 8th mile, there's something about that mile... maybe that I know is the last one for the day, and I enjoy it more than the others. I loved that state, why can't I stay in that 8th mile forever?
Pace was slow... but increasing with the distance as follows:
13.43- 12.02- 12.21- 11.29- 11.03- 10.22- 10.42- 10.37- 10.27
The pace doesn't improve, but still I felt much better today, the sunday resting helped certainly, but also I ate much better carbs this days, in fact I don't eat too much pasta and hate salad, but as I said before now I can eat any thing, if it can improve my running. At this point I felt I have to be focused in nutrition, is a brick that I haven't accomplish yet. Go for it!!
This afternoon Nicole's workout and tomorrow speed workout.

Went for it and made it!!!

This was the scenery this morning how to resist it?? There is a sink ship just right in front the hotel's beach but this morning it looked so unrealistic!! And then about an hour after this photo the were two rainbows!! Beautiful.
16 miles today!!
The first 7 were on the beach. From today I will be at the beach only for an hour, specially if it is hard to "run" there. That lap was tough. I won't complain too much, I just will mention that my shines were sore at the beach, maybe from last night Nicole's Training.
I changed my running shoes as I reach the hotel. Definitely my new ones are for the beach only. They give enough support but on the road I need more cushioning. So, I need a new pair still. As soon as I changed them, I felt the difference on the road.
It was again like a starting over. I even reset Garmin-Garmina and convinced myself that those first seven miles just happened some other day and I was just about to start, when in fact I had been there for an hour an a half.
I drank juice, too much water, and gels. That definitely makes a difference and I consider them as one main tool to accomplish some more distance.
In general I felt very good at the road, the next 1.40' when I ran 9 miles. My legs and feet were strong. The biggest trouble was on my back. The upper part of it was hurting me a lot, who could tell this can happen!
I was very happy there running, smiling. For some moments my mind was trying to sabotage me but, at the same time I could just think that I was able to run that distance and complete my 16 miles, and I just made it!!

I've been tagged

The Black Knight has tagged me
1) What were you doing 10 years ago?
Oh, I can't remember what I did yesterday, how will I know ten years ago?? But something like living in Monterrey with a completely different weather and without thinking at all about running ten years after!!!
2) 5 snacks you enjoy?
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, protein bars, cucumberes with lemon, salt and chile, breakfast cereal.
3) 5 songs you know all the words to?
3 doors down albums.
4) 5 things I’d do as a millionaire?
Running around the world's marathons!!!
5) 5 things you like doing?
Running?? Reading, Internet, laughing, hugging and kissing my family.
6) 5 favorite toys?
Cell phone, camera, notebook, garmin, mp3 player and my beloved washing machine!!!
This are nice questions, so I tagg: Jen, cj, wobblyman and 2P's

Speed workout!!

First time I practice this. It was just 4x0.25 mile, as fast as possible. Distance 4 miles. Definitely I never tried something like this, certainly I needed it not only because I am so slow, but because I been stocked for three years on that state and my body needed a change. I am not (still) training for any marathon so it will just hopefully will build up some more stamina. Still I think I have now a strong base to do this now. I felt very well after doing it, even while my calves were tight.
The thing is that Garmin-Garmina, was behaving so badly, in one turn I made he-she said 48 pace, that certainly drop my average pace... Of course I have to mention something like this to as always.
Last night we made the "Nicole weight training" that was in the latest issue of Fitness RX. It was nice and funny, as follows:
NICOLE'S WEIGHT TRAINING
WARM UP
30 SEG JUMPING JACKS
MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
HIGH KNEES
BUTT KICKS
SQUAD THRUST
STRETCH
20-20-20LEGS SPREAD APART 2 HANDS
20-20 STAND SQUAD STRETCH
20-20 SEATED GROIN BUTTERFLY
WORK OUT
1 MIN JUMP ROPE- RUN
15 REPS DUMB LAT RAISE
TRICEPS KICKBACK
BENT OVER LAT RAISE
SHOULDER PRESS
CURLS
HAMMER CURLS
1 MIN JUMP ROPE - RUN
1 MIN PUSH UP
25 REPS CRUNCHES
1MIN JUMP ROPE
25 REPS SQUATS
ROMAN DEAD LIFTS
BACKWARD LUNGES
BUTT KICKS
1 MIN JUMP ROPE
1 MIN PLANK POSITION
25 REPS CRUNCHES
1 MIN JUMP ROPE
2MIN REST
ALL OVER AGAIN
TO END REPEAT WARM UP.

Panic in the middle of the night and palpable strength

Yesterday went to do the kickboxing session. I made it easy, feeling carefully which movements could damage my feet. Watching my HR monitor all the time to be sure I was not going farther than 65% effort. I have to do this because finally I really like practicing kickboxing and doing the movements make me feel excited.
At night went to sleep, and I woke up suddenly knowing that it was something that woke me up. Pay attention to sounds of something happening, nothing but silence. Then it appear. Pain on my ankle, a stab was coming and going of my ankle. And there I was some sleep some awake, facing my deepest fears against injury.
Finally, thinking straight I aroused and took a pill, just hoping this could help.
Relief it worked.
The morning was sooo nice but yes of course my camera was at home. There are no two sunrises the same, as there are no equal runs.
Ran 9 miles.
First lap at the beach, very tough. Distance 2.2 mile.
I was so pissed of because I had being at the beach only for five minutes when an unexpected wave came and covered completely my feet, Grrrrrr. But as known just thought, it doesn't matter and continued.
The rest of the miles were at the hotel. How tough it was!! I think I was around the 6th mile when I thought about my hamstring and touched them. How strong they felt! I figured out they were like springs and that "again", I wasn't using them and was only relying on my poor feet. That made me ran the last two miles happy and strong. I was bouncing for the last two miles. Isn't it incredible? Instead of being more tired at the end, I finished in such a great shape!!!
It's called Mind power. I am in the process to learn to use it!!

First thing to do today??

The school bus this morning was late, so I had to drive my girls to school, then I missed my weight training session.
What do I do now if still I am doing the kick boxing session this afternoon?
Yes, the best thing, checking the blogsphere!!!
It's been amazing all the motivation I found there, I feel I should go to the gym right now inspired by all of you guys!!!
As I started blogging I was wondering if I could somehow find the answer of why do people run, but also now why do people blog???
It is sooo motivating to find real people, sensitive, writing about similar feelings that it makes you feel that deep inside writing words works very well for the soul.
Thanks guys for the support on my first 14 miles.

Getting used to it.

The day after the longest run I ever had, was fine, I thought that during the day I was going to feel with this sensation that happened on my first long run of 10 miles, but no, it didn't, in fact it was just a normal day, the ankle fine and just for some seconds my legs remembered me I had a great workout.
This morning I headed up and started at about 7. Everything was fine but it was a hard start, oh yes it was. My legs were anchors. Then, pain over my shins came to stage, but just thought it doesn't matter and it will go away soon. It was gone when I finally reach some speed. I could only start the engine over the second mile... In spite all that I managed to make 3 miles at 10:08 average pace. Total distance, 4.6

Longest run until now!

Last night I was freaking out because my ankle started to hurt after I used shoes with some heel. It was a small one, I swear, but at this time I am thinking that I won't be able to use them again any longer, as some other pairs... it has happen before. Is it normal for women who run??
I put ice and took ibuprofen as advised, thanks dgc. And decided that I was going to wait 'till the morning to decide if I was going or not to my long run.
This morning the ankle was fine. Everything was prepared so I went to run!!!
The day was very nice, it hasn't rain, so there was not humidity. The first six miles were at the beach. I can't resist to do it... Besides I know that this problem with the ankle started there... I just thought about enjoying and decided to go for the distance and just watch the pace, without any struggle. The pace there was between 12 and 14, guess how long it was... Forever to end 6 miles, besides it's been a long time since I hadn't run that long there. During the fifth mile I had technical problems with my camel pack which made me walk for some time. Garmin said I was at the beach for and hour an a half for six miles.
After that I headed the hotel.
The energy was fine, but wasn't able to speed up more than 11:30 pace. I remembered that phrase from one of my books: it is just a training the race day will be the marathon, and that idea made me continue besides the slow pace.
I felt stronger anyway. I remember that in some point around the 11th mile I was having a really bad time with my back, fortunately the restaurant was close and stopped there and got some orange juice while walking. That helped incredibly.
My mind in some points was sabotaging the run, while the body was going on over and over feeling very very good, like a machine with a bad driver. I distracted my mind thinking in some other things and sudenly I was feeling great again, thinking for example that the run was just beginning. I started over several times.
I sweat like crazy. I was like a hose at the end even my cap was dripping.
During the run I manage to be smiling because of the great sensation I was living.
Garmin wasn't working properly this morning. Definitely. When I was going down a small heel she said 14 pace... no way.
Anyway, it says I was 1.30 at the beach, ran 6 miles and then I was 1:38 at the hotel and made 8.25 miles. A total of 14.25 miles, what a day!!!!

Skip, skip, skip, grrrrr

I had scheduled a 4 miles run for Wednesday but I didn't make it. My ankle was still sore and I felt like this wasn't ok to go. The problem is that this has been happening this last weeks. It has been like a unplanned slow down. Even my weight training has been canceled because of the lack of sleep, then the lack of energy.
It is incredible how well it works when I use my weight training log. I never skip a session, but since I started with the kick boxing sessions, I just put it apart with the excuse that I was already working out too much. I will design one combined with the kick boxing sessions.
Fortunately this morning I received the call from one of the girls from the group asking me when are we supposed to be starting over... Some scared I said, ok let's do it next Monday. Secretly I was planning to cancel it, since it takes me too long to get there, I mean I have to invest an hour and a half driving to work with them for one. Also I feel like weak and not feeling strong enough to combine again all that workout with my running sessions. But I felt perfectly how fine my body worked after all that effort! It does take energy but it pays off.
So the good part is that it makes me stronger definitely, also their enthusiasm and goals motivate me more. But it is hard to start... But I will!
Today I went to the gym and happily trained legs, shoulders and back. I'll train abs later. I made again those depth jumps. I made 1-6 of: depth jump, tuck jump, and 180 degree. I think they made me tired incredible, but I bet they are already helping my knees, ankles and shins. I'll increase step by step.
Tomorrow 12- 14 miles yes!!! The ankle is much better. At least rest does help.

Vanity or competitive... neither one.

I say I am not competitive, but as soon as I see someone else running faster than me, I try to go faster, feel bad, start to tell myself turtle... Then my mind starts to understand and to justify it saying many reasons for it, like, well, how do I know for how long they have been running, or is because is a man, or because is younger. To end saying that my genetics won't help me to increase the speed faster. Also genetic the fact that the instinct of survival is always telling yourself that you have to be better to go on, to stay alive among the others.
Today I ran 8 miles.
Last night I train legs at 9:00 pm. Tried those depth jumps. I didn't have enough sleep and I awoke feeling very sleepy.
That (I think) made the first four miles soooo tough! Even I was thinking of quitting. There was when blogging helped. To my mind came RAE with her epic run of 18 miles, and thought, go on!! Then Susan with her feeling of sadness for not finishing her scheduled distance.
That made me continue, and over the fifth mile I was much better.
Anyway I finished with the slow average pace of 10:32, which is the slowest ever for most of the runners... Ok, but I should say that as always, and in spite of being such a turtle, I enjoyed it sooo much!!

Living in the jungle

We traveled to Santo Domingo in a quick trip. Driving four hours to get there and four more to go back, worth it, as is the only way to enjoy all that being in a city means. We had to go to the airport there.
It was only me and the kids, Luis couldn't go as the hotel is too busy. I missed him while dining, yes, but not while shopping!! I was like crazy in the shopping mall. I could buy alive finally. I do must of my shopping by internet...
At night I missed my notebook so much!! It was 8:30 and we had to be at the room since the stores were closed. I wanted to be at the blogsphere...
Viewing normal life is so uncommon for us now! Of course that living like this is one of the facts that made me being attached to running that much. I am not complaining, at all is just that I enjoyed it so much that I am impressed. Living here also means running at this awesome place.
On the way back this morning I saw runners, groups of cycling, life around!!!
Tomorrow I will train at the gym, I am planning to practice some depth jumps. I want to strenghten my knees and that should be a good way to avoid get injured when turning... I'll report how it goes.

Too many things inside

This long run in the afternoon was full of new imaging. It was like a new experience, running is always so versatile, never the same.
Today I felt my body like a vehicle that I was driving while my mind was in all sort of things around, but running. The sunset, the people, some darkness, the fresh atmosphere, the absent of sun.
The beach was so crowded! Normally I don't go there in the afternoons, well in fact I never go at this time. Maybe more than 1000 people only from this hotel were there. So many different people, made that all sort of imaging and thoughts. Also there were runners. Three of them passed me and they were so fast... Two men an a woman, she was doing so well and I was starting feeling again like a turtle, but that in fact didn't shadow my energy to continue. My body was so engaged on finishing the twelve miles. I am ready for more, yes!!
The start was awful. Terrible. Since I don't run in the afternoons an had a heavy lunch, I was feeling so full and slow at the beginning! I knew that it was wrong to eat a lot today but gluttony possessed me as usual and over ate. A run with a taste of food... My body ruling the situation and my conscience, where it was??
I felt comfortable until the fifth mile, now I remember, but it is soo nice to feel fine after almost an hour running... even at the end over the twelfth mile, my energy was in a great level, after two hours.
The knee is almost fine, and didn't bother me while running.
I am becoming strong! Yes I am!
I am supposed to be running five miles on Sunday, but I will have to travel this weekend to Santo Domingo, I will take it off and have some rest again for my ankle and back knee. I'll do some stretching.

Depends on how you see it

All is in the mind. For example, about nutrition, eating broccoli. For me is not disgusting, but not my favorite well not attractive. Eat it because is healthy, because is in a diet plan, because it has lots of antecedents... Non of them had worked as the fact that since I saw it in a big picture this month at the M&F magazine, saying it is a very good source for building muscle, I finally started to see it as a great source for energy while running to build up. Anything that helps to build up is attractive, well now it is even tasty!
Should try it with things I don't like? Well I like most of the food, yes I do!

This morning work out, weight training. Some leg again, back, shoulders.
I'm planning to hit the gym again tomorrow morning and do the long run in the afternoon, I'll try to make it possible.

Wonderful morning

An easy four mile run this morning. The back of my left knee was bothering me some during the night. Also the right heel is still some sore. It started since the last long run at the beach, about 20 days ago when the sand was very soft. Lost of ice will help. The good thing, as always is that as soon as I start to run it completely disappears. Well at the end of the run the back of the knee was somehow asking for attention, but now is much better I am using a band to support it.
There was not enough time this morning to go to the gym, I'll go tomorrow. Probably next week the kickboxing sessions will start again. I am looking forward to start to build up much more!!

The morning was sooooo beautiful and with lots of runners since the American and Canadian tourist season started. It is nice to run close to them and watch different styles.

Finally the year started!!

Yes, until today I made my first run of the year... grrrrr!! I wanted it to be the first morning of the year, but I woke up with such a bad headache, (yes, a hangover)also it was raining!!! Yesterday it wasn't a run day so I preferred to wait until today to run. Yesterday I had a weight training session. Workout legs and abs, feeling very strong.
This morning an 8 miles run.
The first two were at the beach. Lately since I got garmin, I've been running more at the hotel, but I realized now that I have to go to the beach since that makes me stronger definitely. So, since tomorrow, the short runs will be at the beach and the long ones will be two at the beach and the rest at the hotel.
Another reason that I was avoiding to run at the beach is that the last time I made a long run there, the beach was very soft, well the problem came after since my heel has been hurting me some since that. But now... That problem will be finally diminished. My new Nike Triax 9 are here, and they really are supportive at the heel. I read somewhere that to run at the beach is better to use stability shoes, and yes they are!! They also worked wonderful at the normal road after. This morning I just felt like flying and in great part was thanks to them. Also they are so nice!!!
Incredible, but today I was able to run at 174HR for some time, it is the first time it happens. Normally I don't get there even trying, but today while I was at a small hill I saw it. There are no hills around, and I wasn't even trying that one, but I feel like since I started training over there, it's been paying off.
Now the back of my knee is hurting some... I'll ice it latter.
Happy days.