Great Run!

Apparently it should run on February 13th when I have my half marathon. I had a great four mile run today! I average a 9:49 pace which is "fast" for me. On long runs I average a 10:30-11:00 min. mile so I felt speedy today. HA! It is amazing the improvements that I have experienced here lately. I think longer runs on the weekend, extra elliptical time and the bike trainer have helped. Thanks TriDiesel for all the advice. This 2010 miles in 2010 has really motivated me to get my butt moving EVERY day. I need to take more days off actually or I am going to end up injured.

Monica is giving away free stuff again : ) Go check her out!

"I'm a Survivor"

Lots of people always ask about music and what to listen to while running. Well I have always liked old rap and cheesy chic music (i.e. Brittney Spears Womanizer) But the one song that gets me through at the end of a long run is Destiny's Child's "I'm a Survivor". There is something about that song that just helps me through the pain and desire to stop. Because all of you know if you stop and walk you are so mad at the end that you let yourself walk. Well today was a rough run. Kris was having nutrition issues; she just had braces put on and was a little weak from her soft diet. My IT band/knee issue was acting up as usual. So the three of us (we had an extra today) decided to just finish on our own. I stopped walked about two tenths and decided "Oh hell No! I am NOT walking this out". I had about a mile and half to go. So I was lucky that I had my iPod in my pocket. I found my running playlist scrolled down to MY song and picked up the pace. I was back at about a 10:15 pace and decided I was not slowing down until I saw 8.0 miles on my Garmin. Kris and I often do fartleks at the end of our runs so my body is used to the pick up the pace attitude at the end.

This brings me to another obstacle "Personal Demons" while running. Mine is O'Hara Drive in Green Acres subdivision. It is a straight stretch that falls in the last 1-2 miles of our runs. I hate that road! My knee always acts up on the road and I swear I tense up as soon as I turn onto it. It isn't even a rough area, perfectly flat and straight plus you get to run downhill not to long after you turn off it. But I do not like that road. But Destiny's Child was there to get me through. : )

Couple questions for any of you runners out there:

1. What song(s) gets you to the end?

2. Do you have any Personal Demons that get in the way of running?

3. What is up with my knee? Sharp, tightening pain start on the left outside of my knee about 4 to 5 miles in. By mile 7 it is more than annoying and is enough to cause me to walk every now and then. Anything close to 10 and I want to cry. It start to creep up my thigh and today I felt it in my hip. I was thinking it was the cold but today it was not cold. Could it be my IT band? I stretch and I ice but am open to suggestions : )

~ Twila

First 10 Mile

Today our long run was 10 miles. Kris has done plenty of long runs since she is the veteran runner but for me it was my first 10 mile. So I thought it was neat I ran my first 10 miles on January 10th, 2010. Yeah I am a dork!

Brr...

WOW! The weather is cold around here. We have not been out of the 20's for days and doesn't look like it is getting better any time soon. I am spending a lot of time on the elliptical machine due to cold weather, husband's work schedule and trying to be a mommy. Scott and I are really thinking about getting a bike trainer that way he can get back into riding his bike. Plus I need to get in more miles if I am going to make 2010 miles for the year and I really want to do a triathlon at the end of the summer. So almost a month away from the half and I am having a hard time getting in my runs! Boo! : (

At least I always get my long runs on Saturday no matter what.

Anyone else out there have to resort to the elliptical for short runs? Do you think it is the same? Do you think it hurts you or helps you? I would love to know what you think!

FYI: Kris is kicking my butt because she has a trainer AND she teaches Spin class three days a week and gets in 8 miles doing that. Another reason to shell out for a bike trainer. I can't let Kris beat me : )

~ Twila

Thanks Monica on the Go

I won! Monica on the Go just did a free food give away and I won. Next week she is giving out free beauty products. Great website! Go check it out. She is always posting about her workouts (she is hardcore) and giving easy recipes for moms on the go.

First Run

Starting the New Year off with 7 miles each! What a way to start off the new year : ) We are both going to get 2010 miles. So we only have 2003 miles to go!