Test of Balance

As a Realtor putting in long hours nights and weekends is hard especssially with three kids under 3 year old. However the flexiblity of mornings and afternoons to run is well worth it, it's a good balance, just don't tell Lisa that.


Currently work is very busy and I am having to make time to run based of my work and family schedule (yes running comes after family and work). So my usual Tuesday and Thursday mediem/hard effort runs were made into maintainance runs. Wednesday I was able to sneak in 8.5 miles along White Bear Lakes southeast boarder which was a good run as the snow fell. It will probabley be the last run of the season with the snow is falling around me. There is something about running in snow and rain that puts you in the zone and makes you very aware of your thoughts and body as put in a good effort. It was a nice farewell to winter.

Busy Week

Note to self: four days off does not do the body good. After a busy week I finally got out this morning for a run. My body feels good, as it should with a few days off, but I felt very sluggish today. I meant to take it slow and just get the blood flowing, however I ended up running a quicker pace than I should have.

5 miles. 38:31. 167HR 33degrees

Finally Warmth

Well warmer than its been around here in awhile. I've been starting to go stir crazy on the treadmill. This mornings I ran with the Tri Fitness group for an hour at a real easy pace. The morning sunrise was beautiful over White Bear Lake and it was nice to enjoy it without a bitting wind in my face.

6.5 miles, 9:10 pace, 20 degrees, 7am

Good Double

Double run today. Started with a morning five miles in a cold foggy air. The daytime temp yesterday was in the low 30's causing the snow to melt which created the fog this morning. This morning it was about 10 degrees and the moisture created frost on every thing which was neat to see through the fog. It also made for some frost eye lashes and frosty clothes.

My second run today was a speedy 4 miles on the treadmill averaging between 7.5 and 8.3 mph. I felt good on both runs.

Merry Christmas!!

I ran outside this morning for the first time in a couple weeks. It was cold about 10 degrees, but once I got past the first mile it was very nice and a beautiful winter morning. I have been running mostly inside on the treadmill the past two weeks due to very cold weather and a lot of new snow on the roads and paths. I am kind of wimping out this year and trying not to run in the cold weather below 10 degrees, but I also don't want to get hurt running in poor conditions for no reason.

Anyway, a merry christmas to all. I am enjoying it with my family and getting in some good runs during the restful time of year.

5 miles 8 min pace 10 degrees

On and Off again

This past weekend I was very busy giving x-mas tree and wreath to my past clients. I started Saturday morning and wasn't finished until late Sunday afternoon. Due to that I didn't get a run in over the weekend and once I fell off the wagon I didn't do a good job re-motivating myself to get out Monday or Tuesday.

Last week I did get in 20 miles and I did get in 3 miles on the treadmill today. I'm back on the wagon and it feels good.

3 miles 9:00 pace

Hittin' It

The past couple of days have been good runs. Yesterday I did 9 miles on the river roads. A light snow pack covered the asphalt paths providing a good footing that was comfortable under the foot. Often those paths have a thick uncomfortable hard pack that is hard to run on, but the past couple of warm days melted that pack and new snow fell lightly Friday night.

The run yesterday went well with a moderate pace and a time of 1:11:17. I didn't wear my heart rate monitor to focus on my effort verses checking the monitor and not listening to myself. However I did a light treadmill workout this evening and for the first time registered and low heart rate zone which is something I was missing.

5miles @ 9 min pace. 137 HR

Not Feelin It

Windy day with 25 mph winds, which didn't bother me as much as the packed uneven paths today. I felt unsteady and it sapped all the energy right out of me and I ended up changing my route to hit some hills resulting in 4 miles instead of 6. I'm planning on getting in another 3 miles on the treadmill tonight.

My new year resolution to eat better started out good today with my lunch and dinner packed, however I was very hungery around 3pm and ate my dinner and had a bunch of Oreo cookies as I drove around looking at properties. Already cheating myself.

4 miles @8:30 pace. 156 HR

Getting Cold and Getting Strong

Freezing is more like it! The past couple of years have pampered us here in the north country with little snow and mild temps before Christmas, however this year mother nature is reminding us Minnesotans where we live. I ran 8 miles yesterday starting at sunset with the temperature at about zero and ending around -3, felt good during the run and was plenty warm.

Currently I am working on building a good base of easier miles as I work to increase my mileage during the cold days ahead. I have been running a lot of miles inside on the treadmill while incorporating strength training with weights. From here out I will run three easy days (Mon., Wed., Fri.) inside while strength training and my longer runs (Tues., Thur., Sat.) outside on the road.

I am really focusing right now on just increasing my mileage at a comfortable pace, hoping to get a heart rate monitor for X-Mas (greedy) so after the new year I can start running with an idea of how hard I am working.

My goals are set to start training for Grandma's Marathon on March 4th this coming year.
Time to redeem myself!