Tempo Run

I went to the gym last night for a yoga class. I missed it by 30 minutes, my life story. But hey...it got me out of the house right after dinner time. That's a busy time of day at my house and I was more than happy to use yoga as an excuse to leave the dishes. Not that I need an excuse. I do it all the time. In fact....I decided they could wait until this morning, only I had to run out at 9am for a gym class with 2 meetings right after. I was going to clean up after the meetings but I was invited to lunch with some of my runner friends. So I went. I'm still full from that Philly cheesesteak. I'm glad I skipped helping Ed finish off his fries. When I got home the landscaper guy was waiting (working on a little surprise for my husband for Father's Day... Shhhhhhhhhh)

I couldn't let him in my house because of the dishes, so I guess I got punished for slacking....haha! Like I care....ANYWAY.....

Back to last night. My husband wanted to go for a bike ride but I won the "first out" because I had a scheduled yoga class. So he had to stay home with the kids and I pranced out the door....heehee

I met Michelle at the gym and we chatted for about 40 minutes. She's the one who told me I missed the class. I felt a twinge of guilt when I thought about Bobby pacing back and forth waiting for his turn, kids leaving a mess from dinner, dishes in the sink....but the twinge passed faster than a cramp in my calf. Out the back door of the gym I went, not a care in the world...lalalalaaaaaa

As I set up my iPod I decided to run the 3 miles home and have Bobby bring me back later to get my car. Then I thought I'd just do a 4 mile loopy. I started out at a slow pace, warming up when I felt a burst of energy. I decided to do some of those "frolics" I love so much. I ran as fast as I could for the length of the fence. I know most of you don't know how far that is, sorry, just know it's like....from here to there. Just about a telephone pole to pole distance. When I was out of breath I ran slow. I ran that way the first mile and was surprised to see it took me 7:38. Two songs. I turned around and ran the mile back to the gym the same way. That was 8:42. Two songs again, but the songs were longer than the 1st 2. (Still with me?)

As I walked to my car my coach was walking through the parking lot so I told (yelled across more like it) him what I just did. He said that's called a "tempo run". Hmmm....never heard of those but I like 'em. Left me feeling like I had a workout in a very short time. Invigorating.

As I was driving back home I passed a HOT biker. I looked again and saw that it was my husband. Man I love those bike shorts. I pulled over, he turned around and I ran back to him. We smooched in the street, both of us a little sweaty, kinda romantic. Then I asked him where he stashed the kids. My 19 yr old came home so she was with them. Lucky break for Bobby!!!

I mentioned before that I've only ever run to train for a marathon. That was for endurance and pacing, never speed, so this is all new stuff for me. I like it! It a renewed sense of learning and it's so interesting. I'm getting pumped just thinking about running fast. There's a race this Saturday but it starts late. I have to work at 9am and I won't get back in time. Kinda bummed about that. My husband reminded me I can't run ALL the races. NO FAIR!

Well...I gotta go do the dishes. Some stuff I can't get out of. Dishes are just one of them.

Shaving My 5K....

As I have already posted, I ran a 5K last weekend for kids with cleft palates. It was called The Smile Train and it raised $3000. It only takes $250 per child, so it will help 12 kids. I feel so good about that. Some of you may know I have a child who received a liver transplant when she was a year old. She'll be 22 in July!!! Over the years of spending so much time in New England Med Center in Boston, we saw many, many kids who needed so much. It was both heart breaking and a gift to have met all of them and their families. This race was a special one.

I went back and looked up all my 5K times (and one 4 miler)...

45:48...4 miler...Scholorship Run on Dec '07
31:05...Resolution run 5K in Jan '08
30:52...5K Lamarque Feb '08
30:50...5K Boca Grande Feb '08
29:04...5K Smile Train May '08 (my new PR....for now)

They SLIGHTLY get better each time, and I'm HAPPY with that, BUT...all of a sudden I'm feeling a whole lot of ambition to really make a difference on the next one. I have some speed training coming and I'm going to make the best of it!!

My coach, Jim, is starting a training program for a half marathon coming up in September. My two older daughters are signing up and I thought it would be AWESOME to go through the training with them. I'm so excited by this. I ask them everyday if they're really going to do it. They keep saying "Yes Mom"....LOL. They're even getting some matching Asics....YAY!!!! They don't know it yet but we're going to wear matching outfits too.....heehee. This is starting in June. I think it will help my speed too.

My friend Sherry has posted her FANTASTIC tri results here http://awomaninmotion.blogspot.com/ Check out her exciting post!! We're all so very proud of you Sherry!!! And here's to Scott's speedy recovery so he can get back into it with you.

My coach is also a very talented singer/songwriter. One of my favorite songs is called "Destiny" and he let me make a little video for it on youtube. Go check that out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa3m7l6j2VI I had a lot of fun making it, let me know what you think! It's about making choices, taking roads that lead to great things. Good song to run to and reflect with.

Happy running!!!

Sherry's Danskin Series Tri in Orlando...

My friend Sherry finished her very first triathalon this morning in Orlando. I couldn't wait for her results so I tracked them down all by myself (ha). And can I tell you how AWESOME she did???? She was fantastic!! I'll wait for Sherry to post her report before I go giving it all away since many of you are waiting too. Just know she had a superb finishing time. I cannot wait to hear her story.....