Last Run of 2006

Nothing special run - 5.5 miles around the neighborhood. Tired today after yesterday's long run on the trails. It didn't help that I had a very sore foot after a collision yesterday between the paddock boot/horse shoe interface (i.e Oscar stomped on my foot!)

I have a computer program where I log my daily runs. It keeps track of pace, distance, total miles, and even tracks the mileage on my running shoes so I know when I need a new pair. (I typically get about 350-400 miles out of a pair of shoes.
2006 year end statistics show that I ran 2327.7 miles for a total time of 14 days, 7hours and 22 minutes. Wow, that's a lot of time!

I started to think about what else I would have done with that time. Would my house be cleaner, would I have spent more time at the office, would I have done more volunteer work? Hmmmm. I read a statistic that the average American spends about 50 days a year watching TV. I probably would have watched more TV....

Have a Happy New Year!

Long Run Saturday

Another great day! Headed out to the North Chagrin Metroparks for about 14 miles on the trails. 40 degrees and sunny - perfect running weather.

I received an iPod Shuffle for a holiday present. It is about half the size of a pack of gum and holds 240 songs - more than enough for marathon long runs! I loaded it up with music and tried it out today. It worked great - hardly knew it was there.
Thanks Karen and Eric!

Quiet Morning

I didn't see another person during my run this morning, no other joggers, walkers, dog walkers. People must still be enjoying some leftover vacation time. 7 miles, glad tomorrow is a rest day!

Just a run...

Easy 5 miile run around the neighborhood this morning with a stop at the gym for some weight training.

Where's the Snow????

This past summer, I purchased a pair of Red Feather snowshoes with the thought that I could get some great cross training in during the winter. I was even gifted with some great gaiters and poles so I could train on the trails all winter. I haven't had a chance to use them. This morning, it was sleeting and just generally nasty, so I headed to the gym to use the "dreadmill". I lasted for 5 miles, and then decided that anything was better than this, so I headed outdoors for the last 5 miles.

Hopefully we will get some great "snowshoe" snow so I can try out the snowshoes. Normally we have had several feet by now, but not this year. There are not even any "mall glaciers" (those giant piles of snow in the mall parking lot that don't melt until June").

Christmas Day

Early morning run, 5.5 miles, the same route as yesterday.

Christmas Eve

5.5 easy miles around the neighborhood then home to wrap presents!

Trail Run

Another great run out on the metropark trails. 12 hilly miles for a pretty decent run.

Shortest Day of the Year

I hate this time of year. I run in the dark in the morning, drive to work when it's dark, work in a windowless office, leave work when it's dark, and yes, it's dark when I am out at the barn riding my horse. Tomorrow, however, the days start getting longer! Pretty soon I'll actually get to see some daylight:)
Today, a 7 mile run before work in the dark....

Last Day of Fall...

Didn't feel much like it, though. 23F early this morning when I went out for a 5 mile run. Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year, only 9 hours of daylight.

Frosty Tuesday

It was colder than it has been for a while. 25f 5:00 AM and everything was covered in frost, which made all the Christmas lights especially brighter. Nice 9.5 mile run at an easy pace, just enjoying the scenery.

Monday Moaning....

Monday already? Where did the weekend go!? 5 miles in the rain followed by a stop at the gym for some weight training.

Just a run...

around the neighborhood this morning. 5.5 miles then home to wrap some presents! Felt pretty good after yesterdays longer run in the park.

Trails and More Trails

Another great day. I decided to take advantage of the lack of snow and ice. Today's run was on the North Chagrin reservation bridle trails. I try to get on the trails 1-2 days per week to avoid the impact on my legs of always running on pavement. Since the trails were clear and ice free, I did a complete tour of the park, including the lower loop by Squire's Castle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squire. This is my favorite trail, but I don't get there often in the winter as it is very hilly and therefore slippery when ice covered! A nice longish run, about 14 miles. Not shorts weather, but sunny and about 40 degrees - I'll take this all winter!

Shorts in December???

In Cleveland? 50 degress at 5:30 as I headed out the door for 7 miles at an easy pace. Rest day tomorrow and then hopefully this nice weather will hold out for a long run on the trails at the park on Saturday.

12/13/06 - Another Nice Morning!

50 degrees at 5:30 AM! 5 miles and a stop at the gym for some weight training.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The weather report said there would be lots of rain this morning, so I was planning on having to run at the gym on the "dreadmill". I hate to run in a cold rain - warm and rainy is fine, cold and snowy even better, but 40 and rainy = treadmill weather. Anyhow, I woke up to a perfect morning - 45 and no rain so I took advantage and ran 10 miles at an easy pace.

Monday, December 11

Another nice morning! Out the door at 5:15 for 5 miles followed by a stop at the gym for some weight training.

Sunday December 10,2006

A nice sunny morning here in Cleveland. 5.5 miles. What a great day!

Saturday December 9,2006

Early run today. Up and out the door at 6:00 AM for about 10 miles. Sidewalks still snowy and ice covered so slow going. It was a nice morning for a run!

December 7, 2006

Another snowy run. 7 miles at an easy pace. Nice out, the snow adds a nice cushion and it wasn't too windy. They are predicting 12 more inches today, so tomorrow I may get to break out the snowshoes :)

Wednesday December 6, 2006

My legs are a little stiff after yesterdays slogfest in the snow. I headed to the Y this morning for a little treadmill speed workout. One mile warm-up, 3 miles in 23:40, one mile cooldown.

Tuesday December 5, 2006

Hi! I have created this blog to update everyone on the progress of my training for the Cleveland Marathon. I am running the marathon to raise money and awareness for Lymphoma research.

Today the alarm went off at 5:00 AM. The weather report was calling for lake effect snow, but when I looked out my window, all was calm, although a frigid 20*F. I dressed in layers and headed out the door. All of a sudden, it started snowing. A LOT. It was thundering and lightening too! We must have received about 6 inches in the time I was out there. I decided to come in when my eyelashes were freezing together. Total distance - 8 miles.