Running on the go...

Training and travel are a tough combination.  I've seen even the most dedicated of athletes skip workouts when on the road, often for silly reasons.  But, it doesn't have to be that way.

It's true...I did eat that bowl of goodness.

Yes, I sometimes skip a workout or two when on vacation.  Maybe even on a business trip.  But when that guilty voice in the back of my head reminds me that I opted to finish my dinner with the famous apple streudel at Café Schwarzenberg or that I spent most of the day sitting in conference rooms, I can't help but push myself into the gym even if it means getting in the miles on the dreadmill.

Oh yeah, traveling often means not running outside, either because it's not particularly safe, or I don't want to risk getting lost.  So, I spent two sessions on the dreadmill this week.  That's about all I can take before I have a flair up of my good old buddy - lower back pain...excruciating lower back pain.  And a little bit of boredom, that comes into play too.

But today, what a breath of fresh air.  Sometimes you find that spot on a business trip that gives you the freedom to stretch your legs and catch the sites in a beautiful city after a long day of meetings.  Today I got to run through The Hague - or Den Haag if you're a local.

My hotel offered a decently (we'll get to this in a minute) outlined map of several running routes based on distance.  Though none of them went through the section of town with the Parliament and Prime Minister's offices (some really cool buildings architecturally that sit along a canal as if built into the water...I got to see them during lunch), I did get to cruise through some residential areas and a couple of parks along canals.

Have I mentioned the weather yet?  Oh boy what a treat!  If you've been slogging through a central Maryland summer, you will understand the sigh of relief I released when I walked outside the hotel to run in 60 degree weather (and a slight sprinkle for the first part) with a nice stiff breeze coming in off the North Sea.  It felt like fall already, but with sunlight until 9pm.

While Den Haag isn't the tourist destination that Amsterdam is, it isn't without some pretty cool sites of its own, like a few museums, the OPCW and all the embassies/ambassador's residences.   Though honestly?, I wish the street signs were a bit easier to follow.  Yeah, that map the hotel handed out may have included street by street directions, but the map only included major streets, most streets turn into other streets, the signs aren't in obvious places and often only on one side of the road.  That said, I successfully fumbled my way along the route.

Ultimately, toward the end of my journey, I deviated from the route offered by the hotel so that I could plod along the narrow paths of one of the canals.  The canals provide a pretty break from the buildings and rowhouses, and are soothing in a way I don't have the words to describe.  I'm glad I made the detour to capture some of the spaces tucked away in one of the parks.

In other news that I like to categorize under "awesome," I've finally broken through whatever barrier sat between me and increasing my speed again.  I'm feeling like I'm finding my stride and it's all downhill from here (not really, actually I should say uphill because I'm a better uphill runner).  If this keeps up, I'm on the right path toward achieving one of my big speed goals.  So, I'm going to add today's fun run through Den Haag, to last week's two great races (including pacing the Annapolis 10-miler and conquering the brutal hills at Dreaded Druid) and the fact that I am caught up on my mileage for the first time this year (logged 145 miles running in August) and call it a win.

I'm hoping to ride this tidal wave of great running vibes through the fall racing season and come out on top.  Happy trails!!!

2015 miles to date:   824.77 miles

Observations:  Not to beat my own drum, but I feel like I'm killing it.  Aside from that dreaded back pain as a result of treadmill runs, everything else is holding together.  The added strength training sessions are also paying dividends.  I just may make it out of my overzealous fall racing schedule unscathed.  The one thing I need to do soon is buy new shoes.  I can feel this current pair beginning to give and I'll need time to break in another pair before the race season kicks into high gear.
 

The best intentions...

I had big plans this weekend.  I was in Ohio for a family funeral, with lots of unscheduled time on my hands before the funeral Saturday and Sunday before I planned to return home.  I was going to run 10 or so miles on each day.  Yep, the best of intentions always have a way of turning into the worst executed plans out there.

Saturday I woke up to a light, beautiful snow falling.  If you've read my blog in the past, you know I love running in this type of snow.  I was stoked.  And then I looked at the temperature (much lower than Maryland) and thought to myself - "I can leave earlier Sunday and run super long at home."

Sunday, the diva and I got on the road as planned....which was awesome because I was going to run 15ish miles upon returning home.  All was going well until we hit a little snag at the PA/MD border when the diva got (a) car sick and then (b) played on my sympathies and begged for chocolate milk.  SO...I promised to go to the next McDonald's and buy her a chocolate milk.  Only problem?  The next McDonald's had a big indoor playground and she had been sitting in her carseat quietly for almost 4 hours.  Okay, a few minutes on the playground won't hurt...but 30 minutes later I knew my plans were on the rocks.

Back in the car I cut a deal with the diva.  She could play in her playroom once we got home for as long as it took me to run 10 miles on the treadmill.  She agreed and all was at least sort of on track. 

Then we got home and I told my husband I was running to the commissary and then I'd be back to take Ainsleigh down to the playroom.  Surprise!  He said he would stay with Ainsleigh and play while I shop and then get in a 5 mile run out at Greenbury Point so I only had to do 5 miles on the treadmill.  So I threw on the running clothes and headed out. 

Now, I'm standing at my car, ready to head down to the Greenbury Point trail and the ipod is dead.  Great...can nothing swing in my favor today?  Life goes on.  At least the Garmin wasn't dead...I'm not sure life goes on when that happens.

If you remember this afternoon, you know the temperature was nice (in the upper 30s) and the air was calm.  I basically had the road to myself, well me and a few random die hard golfers out for 18 holes on a brisk winter Sunday who criss crossed the road from hole to hole.  But then it was on my own as I passed the Brigade Sports Complex.  Me, my feet and my thoughts.  A great way to spend an hour.

As I got down near the point and took in the bare masts at the Mill Creek marina, I was hitting my stride.  I know I had a good brainstorm around this time, but for the life of me its gone now.  The best part of the Greenbury Point run, is undoubtedly the bay views.  I love this stretch of landing hugging the shore with the Bay Bridge in the distance.  There's something about it that puts a spring in your step and helps you maintain your pace and motivation when that REALLY nasty head wind hits you on the North heading section of the trail. 

Being a Sunday (with no rain falling from the sky) there were a lot of walkers out on the trail.  I gotta say, the old man with his dog who took the time to say "looking good" as I beared down on the wind and pushed forward, was just the cheering I needed.  It's also great to have a cheering section where you least expect it.

So as I'm headed back toward the car, I look at my watch.  I'm bearing down on about 6 miles if I go straight back, but what the heck?  My legs are good, I've been out for less than an hour and surely the husband and diva can survive another 10-15 minutes without me, so I decide to head up to Providence to put me at a good 7 mile run.  I like the neighborhood.  It's not busy and its got some small hills to stretch and push your legs.  Plus I like the houses. 

Anyway, I hit the 7 mile mark (just over) when I returned to my car and was looking forward to finishing up with only 3 miles to go on the treadmill.  Why do you ask, then, did I not get those last 3 miles in?  Yeah, I was soaked to the bone and could NOT heat back up.  I spent the rest of the night shivering to my skeleton in front of a roaring fire that the diva kept calling "too hot." 

Lesson of the story?  Don't wimp out when the temperature looks uncomfortable and don't stop to wash the salt off your car after you just ran 7 miles in sub-40 degree weather without changing into dry clothes first.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  7.03
Time:   1:02:29 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Feeling:  my muscle groups were great, the hamstring insert twinges a bit

Recapping 900...

Sandy's rolling out and, aside from massive cabin fever, we fared the storm really well.  That cabin fever, though, drove me out into the chilly sprinkles to stretch my legs and breath some fresh air this evening.

First off, on Saturday I passed the 900 mile mark.  Why didn't I talk about this on Saturday?  Because I crossed the mark while participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night.  Saturday was about the survivors, the fighters and the families grieving.  Actually, hitting the 90% mark on my goal during that event really brought so much more meaning to it than just hitting 900 on an average jaunt around Capitol Hill or down Bay Head Road.  Nothing wrong with those...every mile counts...but it just seemed more meaningful. 

So now I'm truly "running" the home stretch and am actually targeting a finish one full month ahead schedule, so long as my shin hangs in there. 

Today was not a record breaking day, or even noteworthy in the grand scheme of the past year.  It was merely a short run to stretch the legs as the diva slept in the car with my husband after a great afternoon of playing at the indoor playground in the mall. (whew...that was quite a sentence) It was a couple miles to cement my October achievement and to test my shin.

What was noteworthy about the run is that, in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, you can't take for granted those sunny days where running is easy....and you shouldn't discount the value of having a treadmill in the basement to provide moments of sanity when stuck inside (perhaps I should finally consider making the investment).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.53
Time:   22:03 (average pace of 8:43 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head
Feeling:  my shin is a little painful, but bearable

Danger Will Robinson....

Until I get completely caught up, I'm skipping the write ups about treadmill runs.  They can be boring (unless I happen to catch some show like Pregnant and Didn't Know It).  Let's just say, I did one on Wednesday (stats below) and move on.

Today was relatively  mild in the morning, but growing hot by the afternoon, so I was dressed for running when I took the diva to school.  I got a little side tracked and by the time I was set to run it was raining outside.  Too bad, I've got to run.  So I decided to hit the treadmill...blah.

On my way over to the gym I thought to myself "it's not raining hard, and I actually like running in the rain, so what the heck."  I detoured over to Greenbury Point to get in four to five miles.  After parking my car, getting the satellite feed on my Garmin set, and adjusting my cap (don't like rain in my eyes) I set off toward the trail.  I ran into an unfortunate sign at the head of the trail, which caused me to have to change my proposed route for the run.

So, I flipped around and was going to head up through the golf course after the loop down by the Mill Creek marina.  I got as far as the Nature Center when I decided to try the trail behind the center.  I'd never run it and thought it may be interesting.  It was narrow and over run with weeds.  Since I was running alone, I thought it might not be wise to get too far down the trail and risk injury, so headed back. 

I noticed that the Nature Center entrance to the Greenbury Point trail did not have the live fire sign up, and took my chances heading down that path.  At this point my head cold started to catch up with me.  On top of the rain, I was sweaty and my skin was turning red.  I also couldn't catch my breath.  Perhaps the workout was a bad idea when I have such a bad cold going on.  When will I learn my lesson?

Anyway, I finished the trail.  It wasn't pretty but it wasn't ugly.  I didn't get in four to five miles, but I didn't sit on the couch.  Oh yeah, I also crossed the 75% threshold for meeting my goal for the year, so that is awesome!  While my mileage is low for the week so far, I'll get over the head cold and make it up over the weekend.  Happy trails!!!

Stats (for Wednesday)
Miles:  3.53
Time:   30:03 (average pace of 8:30 per mile)
Location:  Gym at Naval Support Activity Annapolis
Feeling:  my legs aren't bothering me, surprise

Stats (for Thursday)
Miles:  3.14
Time:   27:23 (average pace of 8:43 per mile)
Location:  Greenbury Point
Feeling:  everything aches

Reality tv & treadmills...

Last week's total mileage was a bit disappointed for this type-A, goal-driven runner, but this week is going to blow it out of the water, so missing my weekly minimum by four miles will easily be erased.  That said, we're going to have a few hot days and I've got some cramped spaces in the schedule, so at least one run will have to occur on a treadmill.

Today was that day.  After dropping the diva off at her second day of school/daycare, I headed to the gym to grab a few miles on the treadmill before running errands, catching several hours of work and heading back to pick her up. 

The gym was pretty quiet, so I had my choice of all but one or two treadmills.  I picked the one I thought matched up with the tv remote sitting in its cupholder.  Once I was on the machine I was pretty committed, so I didn't change after finding out the remote was to a tv in front of a different treadmill.  Oh well, I settled in to distract myself with whatever was on in front of me anyhow.

Ummmm, the tv was set to TLC and the show was some reality series about women who don't know they are pregnant until they are in labor.  Really?  Cable channels will turn anything into a reality show these days won't they?  I have to say, this show really disturbed me.  Come on, some of these women must not be very bright because as they looked back they saw all the signs.  Geez.  And I was in front of this tv for more than thirty minutes. 

I've learned my lesson. Next time make sure you have the correct remote before you start the run, pick a treadmill already tuned to a station or show you would actually watch, or even better, deal with the heat and humidity outside and take in nature instead of reality tv.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4
Time:   34:37 (average pace of 8:39 per mile)
Location:  Fitness Center at Naval Support Activity Annapolis
Feeling:  the hamstrings are a little tight, need to watch them this week

Holy hills batman...

I've once again been remiss at logging my runs as they happen, so today is another "two run" post.  I'm going to go backwards because today's run is much more exciting than Thursday's treadmill effort.

Today I took a second shot at the River Valley Run 10k trail race, which was a beast last year.  I say its a beast in a good way, meaning it challenges you to pull out more than you think you have to get it done.  It's got hills.  I don't mean it's got hills, I mean it's got HILLS.  It also has a little of everything else you would want in a trail run - water, rocks, tree jumps, etc.   What made the race even better than last year was my enhanced cheering section.  Last year Jay was deployed, and we didn't even know the diva was out there.  So it was great to have them both there.

Now we get to the start of this run.  Well let me tell you, just reading the course map won't prepare you for the hills in the first 3.5 miles of the course - ending with what they aptly called "Dead Man's Hill."  It doesn't take long to get to that first hill and then they just keep coming. We all know the saying "what goes up must come down"? The race directors for this run managed to defy even Newton...I believe there is a lot more uphill than downhill to this race.

Following the hills, there are a lot of other fun aspects to this course. From the rock scramble (which was faster than last year because I decided to take the route marked "slower" which had no line, while the route marked "faster & trickier" had a long line...figure that one out..the people on the slow route all passed those on the fast route), to the river crossing that was a little deeper than last year because of all the rain.

I was sadly disappointed, however, in the lack of enthusiasm shown by many at the river crossing. Here's my philosophy on trail running - you didn't sign up to go home clean and dry. I take every opportunity to make sure I have to scrape off layers of sweat and dirt, but many of my fellow racers are afraid of a little water. There were two options at the river crossing - you could go out of your way to cross on a bridge or you could plunge in and run. So (a) we've got the wimps who took the bridge...come on, are you kidding me? Then (b) you've got those runners who decided to brave the water but were so afraid of getting too wet that they basically walk through the water slowly so as not to splash.

This is where I come in. I'm sure I got several dirty looks from behind, but I aim to ensure everyone close to me gets a real trail experience. So, as I enter the water there are several of the version (b) runners in front of me. I devilishy grin to myself and run through the water at top speed splashing EVERYWHERE and EVERYONE within a 10 foot radius. Dude, you got what you deserved by not respecting the water enough to have fun with it :) 

I finally cruised into the finish line, knocking several minutes off last year's time.  Even though I finished faster, and consequently 13th out of 96 women in the 30-39 age bracket, I managed this race poorly.  I had way too much gas left in the engines at the end and could easily have taken a few more minutes off the time if I had turned it on more out on the course instead of waiting until the final two miles.  That's okay, better next year right? I still had the best cheering section in the house.

Now that I've had fun with today's run, I really won't bore you with the details of a short, 3ish mile treadmill run on Thursday, except for a couple interesting details.  So we had a family social down at Jay's base scheduled for the early evening.  With that, I decided to go early so Jay could watch the diva while I logged a few miles at the gym in their building.  It's not a bad little facility, even though they cater mostly to men and so the women's locker room is a little small.  Its the locker room that actually makes this effort slightly interesting.  Since we were headed to an event immediately following my run, I needed to shower so I didn't turn off all the other families in the command.  But of course, this isn't my usual locker room at the Senate or at 24 Hour Fitness.  No, you need to bring your own towel for this one.  Oops.  Yeppers, I had to dry off with my shorts and paper towels from the sink area.  I'll remember that for next time.  Happy trails!!!

Stats for Thursday -
Miles:  3.01
Time:  25:00 (average pace of 8:18 per mile)
Location:  EWS Gym, Marine Corps Base Quantico
Feeling:  Good, muscles were moving easily

Stats for Today -
Miles:  6.3
Time:  59:18 (average pace of 9:24 per mile...need more hill and trail training b/c I can do better)
Location:  River Valley Ranch, Roller, MD
Feeling:  Hams got tight at mile 3, but overall I could have pushed it much harder

Beating the heat and olympic spirit...

I've said it before...it's not fun to run outside in the heat and humidity.  When my husband got home from work tonight and I changed to get a run in he asked "how far are you going?" I said "not far, just 4-5 miles tonight."  He said, concerned, "you know its hot and humid out there...not really great for a run."  I said "don't worry, I'm heading to the gym to run on the treadmill." 

So maybe there is more than one reason I've willingly taken to the treadmill when I loathe the machine so much.  Yes, it's hot, but more importantly, they have the Olympics on about half the tvs in the cardio room, so I can indulge in keeping up with all the events while logging the miles.  Not sure I'll be quite as motivated for a treadmill run after the flame is extinguished...but I guess I'll take it while I can.

Tonight was a good run.  I hit a nice rhythm and kept on trucking while Access Hollywood recapped a number of the days events...and the lighter side of the Olympics...and then caught a bit of a handball game.  I admit, I know nothing about handball, but it kept my eyes occupied during my post-run mile rowing.

In all, I've got basketball, swimming, boxing, volleyball and a few other events while logging miles.  Not a bad way to while away the time if the scenery isn't changing over the course of 4-5 miles, right?  I'll take and look forward to the fall weather as I stare down four more days of running this week - two of which will be outside in the humidity.  Happy trails!!!


Stats -
Miles:  4.51
Time:   37:02 (average pace of 8:12 per mile)
Location:  Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fitness Center
Feeling:  Nice rhythm for a treadmill run, hamstrings started tightening a little at the end

Logging the week...

I'm behind logging my runs, again.  Are you surprised?  It's been a hot week.  After sweating it out royally on Monday while pushing the jogging stroller, combined with the fact that I had to stop running with the diva until I found a better mosquito repellant (she seems to  be a focal point for every mosquito in Annapolis and has a bad reaction  to the bites), I took the rest of the week inside on the treadmill.  That also gave me the opportunity to add in more rowing, so not altogether a bad thing. 

Since my last post I had two days of treadmill running - today and Wednesday.  Nothing spectacular ever happens on the treadmill, well maybe never.  Today I actually had a great groove going.  I'm not a great treadmill runner.  On the roads I post some good times because I can have my ups and downs in pace on my own.  The treadmill is unforgiving if you change the pace without also changing it on the machine.  That's why I sometimes have troubles putting up decent times and longer runs on the treadmill.  I just don't run the same exact pace, down to the second, mile after mile.  Today, however, I seemed to have it going on.  I had a nice rhythm and the US vs Lithuania Olympic men's basketball game to keep my brain from getting bored, so laying down 7 miles didn't feel like a chore with the treadmill under my feet.  (I can't say the same for my treadmill run earlier in the week...it was a chore.)

Something else I enjoyed about the last two running days was the opportunity to row.  I like to row...in small amounts.  Like the treadmill, it can get boring after so long because unless you have something to keep your mind busy, its really just back and forth.  I didn't put up huge numbers, just a mile rowing on Wednesday and a mile today, but its a good change in exercise for the shoulders and helps me try again to break into cross training.  Can I keep it up?  We'll see.

This week hasn't been spectacular with logging big numbers or outside runs, but I will still hit the number of miles I need to keep on track with my resolution....after the Dog Days 8K tomorrow that is.  Hopefully the heat waits until later in the day to set in.  Happy trails!!!

Stats - (Wednesday)
Miles:  4.01
Time:   33:35 (average pace of 8:22 per mile)
Location:  Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fitness Facility
Feeling:  Just trying to get in miles and destress

Stats - (today)
Miles:  7.16
Time:   60:00 (average pace of 8:22 per mile)
Location:  Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fitness Facility
Feeling:  good rhythm, legs were sound, and didn't tire...AWESOME!

Keeping up...

There are only so many hours in the day...and by the time I find at least one for myself, I'm just about passed out on my bed.  That's what it's like trying to find time to blog.  Oh well, at least I can get the runs in...I can catch up on the blogging of the runs later.  That's why I'm writing about two runs today - yesterday and today.

Yesterday can be summed up with one word....HOT!  Maryland has been under heat advisories for the last few days, and I can't seem to get up early enough to beat my early riser for a run that doesn't occur at 4am.  After nearly killing myself with the heat on Wednesday's run, I promised to limit to just a couple miles.  That's enough to help get my body back into the groove of running on the pavement every day.  So, prepped to sweat my rear end off, I headed up to run the cloverleaf at Chesapeake Preserve for this one.  I like running through that neighborhood, though admittedly there are no trees to provide shade.  It wasn't bad, but I was dripping for the rest of the day.

Today was equally hot and I needed to put in a good run, so I headed back inside to the dreadmill at the gym over at the Naval Station.  Ahhh, they had the air on just right for a good several miles.  If I hadn't started to get bored looking at the wall, I probably good have run for an hour.  Alas, the wall can only offer so much entertainment and so I called it quits at 4 miles and then rowed for a bit.  On my way back out, my car was streaked by one of the biggest red foxes I've seen in this area.  At any rate, I'm proud of the running I've been able to accomplish with the change in my life. 

So, as I head into our second weekend at home with the little one (and am anxiously looking forward to getting back in the groove with my fave running partner), this will be my last midweek nap time run.  Next week we'll be trying something new.  Happy trails!!!

Thursday Stats -
Miles:  2.52
Time:   21:22 (average pace of 8:28 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head to Chesapeake Preserve
Feeling:  Hot, sweaty, a little tight

Friday Stats -
Miles:  4.01
Time:   33:41 (average pace of 8:24 per mile)
Location:  Fitness Center at Naval Support Activity Annapolis
Feeling:  comfortable...finally

Mom on the run...

Yuexiu Park with the latest family addition.  It was one of
the greatest moments of my life to bring her into the
family.  Perhaps someday she'll be a runner too.

It's been two weeks since my last post, but that does not mean that I've been resting.  No siree.  This has been one super active woman, and though today was the first time since leaving for China that I put hard pavement under my running shoes, I did manage to log more than 35 miles while I was overseas (which is impressive - if I may say so - because I hate jogging on the dreadmill for any length of time).  I'm just now blogging, however, because I did not take a laptop with me and it cost almost $10 to use the hotel computers for twenty minutes.  I quickly decided I would lump all the workouts together once I got home.  So here's a short recap of how things went and I'll finish up with today's run.

Proof that those were treadmill miles.

Two extremely short weeks ago my husband and I boarded a plane to China to adopt our daughter.  We spent the whole two weeks in the city of Guangzhou in Guangdong province, which is very near Hong Kong.  That means tropical, which means SUPER steamy.  In fact, most days we were there the "feels like" temperature exceeded 100.  That is not conducive to running and surviving (though I did see many Chinese who seemed to survive running in it..more power to them) so I relegated myself to the China Hotel fitness center for my two weeks of running.  At least those are the only miles I counted.  We actually walked all over the city and so I probably logged several more actual miles in the blistering heat...but oh well.  I can hardly complain because it was one of the most special times of my life, and, oh yeah I crossed another milestone - 60% of my goal in the books! :)

China Hotel pool

Guangzhou Zoo

So along with logging the treadmill miles (done mostly during nap time or before my husband and daughter were awake), we spent a lot of time at the pool (my daughter loves the pool), walking through Yuexiu and Liuhua Lake Parks, through the zoo and around random neighborhoods.  We exercised ourselves and got to know each other as a family.


Fast forward after two days of rest between the trip and my next run and we come to today.  I wasn't looking to break any land speed records or log a gazillion miles.  I just wanted to feel the pavement, get out of my head and relax for a few minutes during nap time (both my daughter and my husband).  So I tied up my shoes and just headed out to stretch my legs and enjoy.  It felt good and I'm looking forward to my next run...hopefully with the jogging stroller once we get the tires pumped up and ready to go.  Happy trails!!!

Stats (only today's are below...while in China I logged 35.55 miles)
Miles:  4.05
Time:   35:00 (average pace of 8:38 per mile)
Location:  Bay Head to Log Inn
Feeling:  Nice and smooth, a little tight in the knees but that's par for the course after long flights

Small steps forward...

Last night I got into Jackson, TN very late.  After the flights from Baltimore and the drive over from Nashville, the last thing I wanted to do was get up super early.  I should have known the snooze button was in my future.  When the alarm went off, I hit that snooze button, oh, at least 3 times.  That means fewer and fewer miles with each push of that button. 

Finally I was able to drag myself out of the comfy bed at the Doubletree Jackson and head on down to the fitness center on the first floor.  At this point I only had between 15-20 minutes to run.  I took off on the dreadmill at a laborious pace and plugged away for a total of 18 big minutes.  You're impressed right?  Ha, it was meager, but even meager counts on the trek to 1000.  Better luck tomorrow at Fort Campbell.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.04
Time:   18:00 (average pace of 8:49 per mile)
Location:  the sole treadmill at the Doubletree Hotel, Jackson, TN
Feeling:  Ehhh

A lesson in climbing...

While I had great intentions to run the beautiful path at the KL City Center this morning, I did not make it.  I woke up with just enough time to get in a treadmill run at the gym and then shower for the day.  I will compliment the hotel staff...the heat in the gym finally wasn't unbearable!  Sweating still occurred, but it was not the uncomfortable kind.  So that was that.

I rather thought my exercise for the day was done after that, but I was mistaken.  Our second stop of the day, after the hot springs where it appeared to be an average Malay bathing delight (no really, full on sudsing and all), we headed over to Batu Caves.  Ever heard of them?  They are amazing.  It's basically a Hindu temple built into a cave, first used as a holy site beginning in 1891.  How do you get to the cave?  You walk up 272 steps, dodging banana peels and mokeys who want to steal your bag.  It was a great walk up and the temple was amazing.

Then, after a couple other stops, we headed to the KL Bird Park.  Another amazing site.  If you ever get to Kuala Lumpur I recommend it.  Lots of walking, lots of bird sightings (did I mention I also fed a monkey?).  And now, I'm off on a sprint to the airport so this intrepid traveller can begin the 28 hours of flying back home.  See you back in the States.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.02
Time:  35:13 (average pace of 8:45 per mile)
Location:  Treadmills at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Feeling:  Finally good...

Slogging through the heat...

I live in the Mid Atlantic, which means I know what summer heat and humidity are like, but today the real feel in Kuala Lumpur was 108 degrees.  With high humidity.  Like 70% humidity...maybe more.  All I know is that every time I walk outside I need a shower.  This shouldn't really impact what I do in the gym, though, right?  After all, Malaysia is a modern society with air conditioning in the hotels.  However, as I mentioned before, my hotel does not seem to believe in using this vital resource in the fitness center.  Now, like most folks, I sweat pretty decent during a workout, so I do not need the sauna-like environment to add to the effect.  Alas, I refused to allow it to deter me and pounded out 5 miles., albeit it a little slow on the average pace because I took the final mile down to a 9:30 - 10:00 minute pace to start edging off the organ boiling.

Sweat, once you've started, seems to follow you all day long.  I may actually have burned off a few extra pounds because I seemed to be glistening to the extreme all day.  Since the fitness center believes in providing the same sauna-like experience as outside, hence causing a full day sweat, I may as well take my running to the great park over at the KLCC (that's Kuala Lumpur City Center for those out of the Malaysian loop).  The running path is 1.4 kilometers long around a green space with an amazing kids park and its only a few blocks away.  In fact, I can almost see it from my hotel room (if it weren't for those pesky high rise buildings that cities are so fond of).  Now, if only I can find my way to it on foot. 

In the meantime, here's a couple views from around Kuala Lumpur.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.0
Time:  45:15 (average pace of 9:03 per mile across all 5, 8:56 per mile for the first 4)
Location:  Fitness Center, Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur
Feeling:  Sweaty but the muscles are all firing on the right cylinders

Utterly exhausted and uninspiring...

Tonight I am so exhausted I can barely remember my uninspiring run from this morning.  This is basically how it goes when the work day starts at 8am and ends at 11pm.  I'm fairly certain that around 5:45am I woke up, tripped my way into some workout clothes and found the elevator to take me down to the gym.  I located an unused treadmill...which most are (it's dark until 7ish here in Malaysia so the treadmill is really the only sane option) and took off.  A couple factors I remember that really leave a lot to be desired.  (a) it was really hot.  I mean mind-numbing, dripping sweat all over hot in the gym.  Seriously folks, you build air conditioned walk ways so that you don't have to walk outside, what does it take to get air conditioning in the gym?  (b) jet lag is catching up with my body and its getting tougher to move. Other than that, I really have nothing to say about the workout....but every mile does count in the grand scheme. The jet lag won't last forever, just a few more days and hopefully I can hit my stride again.  (Oh wait, in a few more days I head back to the states which means the jet lag starts all over again)

Unless we get back to the hotel from meetings before 9pm tomorrow, it is highly unlikely I will get in a workout, which means I won't be back with an update until Friday.  Here's to hoping, though, that if I do get in that run that its a bit more exciting.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.0
Time:   35:28 (average pace of 8:52 per mile)
Location:  Fitness Center, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Feeling:  My legs are a little wobbly from the exhaustion setting in

Asian sunrise...

Because I'm on the other side of the dateline, it will look like this workout occurred on Saturday, but really it's Sunday here.  I arrived in Kuala Lumpur last night, late, and know that in order to beat jet lag impacting my ability to function in meetings, I have to treat the local time with respect.  So, while my fellow travelers were burning the midnight oil overcome with energy after some 28ish hours of flying from DC, I was forcing myself to sleep.  My plan was to sleep in until 7 and then hit the gym.  Well, that didn't work out entirely because I was up around 6am.  Not too bad actually because I got to watch the sun come up over the pool gardens while I ran.

Now, prior to leaving DC, I read up on the increase in interest in running in Malaysia and know that there are dozens of routes mapped for Kuala Lumpur on mapmyrun.com, but I'm not yet sure exactly of the lay of the land, so a gym workout was in order.  I don't like the treadmill...basically its a torture device, but I sucked it up for 5+ miles this morning.  It felt great to stretch the airplane cramps out of my legs and get moving.  Let me tell you though...remember the heat I complained about in UAE a month ago?  Holy moly, we've got that plus massive humidity here in Malaysia.  We'll have to see how this goes the next several days.  I would like to try at least one local running route while I'm here if the schedule allows.

In the meantime, today's agenda doesn't begin until noon, which gave me some time to check out the hotel this morning.  Did you know they've got a hedge maze of their own, and a great pool?  I only got a photo of the maze but I got in a little reading poolside before time to get the suit on for the afternoon.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  5.1

Time:  26:47 + 20:00 (3.1 miles at 8:38 per mile, 2 miles at 10:00 per mile)

Location:  Fitness Center, Shangri La Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Feeling:  Hot and sweaty but the muscles were great

Continuing with the cross training...

I had every intention of getting in 4-5 miles over lunch and then hitting the yoga class at the gym tonight. Well, it was for very good reason that the lunchtime run was shelved, or rather it wasn't shelved but I had zero breathing space in the schedule to accomplish it. I'm actually fairly excited about the why of it. If you have an interest in foreign policy, tune in to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee mark up tomorrow afternoon.

So the best daytime intentions aside, I needed to maximize very limited time this evening since I not only wanted to get in the yoga class, but also need to pack to leave the country again on Friday (I'm already behind in this regard. If you know me, you know I have a very detailed packing plan for every trip and the bag is usually ready to go several days ahead of time in case the schedule gets messed up). I made it to yoga.  I already feel more bendy.  It was more of a gentle yoga class, which I need for stress and recovering from Monday night's tough class, but still contained a series of more challenging balance poses and an abs series. With the bikini season around the corner I can use all the abs help I can get. After all, while I'm no heifer, I'm definitely not the chick of 7 years ago with 10% body fat. Come June you'll be able to tell if I've stuck to pushing a greater number of abs exercises into my routine...that is also assuming I'm still not blazing white and you're are blinded by my skin tone so can't see whether my middle is toned...on second thought...:)

I ended the night with a brief jog on the treadmill just to tick off a couple more miles and get my heart rate up.  Don't get excited, it really was nothing to jump up and down over, but it was movement.  I hope to get in 7ish miles tomorrow so that at least I hit the monthly goal before getting on a plane Friday morning, because if my next location doesn't believe in air conditioned fitness centers like the Emirates, then the next week is guaranteed to be less than inspired.  Trust me though, I've already started working on a back up plan.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.52
Time:  22:01 (average pace of 8:44 per mile)
Location:  24 Hour Fitness treamills and group ex room
Feeling:  I'm glad I won't be back to yoga for a week and a half, the wrist needs a break...still hurts pretty bad

Blogging in Arabic....

Not really, but it did take me several minutes to figure out how to get the prompts at the top of the page into English so that I could write today's entry from Abu Dhabi. Yep, UAE. I arrived last night and muddled through a restless night of trying to sleep then proceeded to get up at 7am to go to the gym for a run on the treadmill (affectionately the dreadmill). I really wanted to take to the seaside for a real run, but am not yet sure of how to get to the Corniche and settled for the gym.

Do not get me wrong, the gym is plenty nice. My treadmill faced out over the marina so I had a fantastic ocean view. The view, however, did little to help my run. The combination of lack of sleep, dehydration, cramped legs from a 14 hour flight and the general warmness enveloping the room equalled a less than spectacular venture, but it was movement. All I really wanted, afterall, was to stretch out and readjust my body to the time zone.

Tomorrow I don't think I'll get to run the Corniche either...we have morning meetings so it will likely be the treadmill. That said, I may venture out in the evening or at least Monday morning for that seaside run. Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 3.36 (not quite the 3.75-4 I wanted to get in)
Time: 30:00 (a miserable 8:55 per mile pace)
Location: Fitness Center at the Abu Dhabi Intercontinental overlooking the Marina
Feeling: Ugh...hopefully tomorrow is better

Oh the joy...

It's been a while since I was stuck on the treadmill. It should have been an even longer time. This morning was really nice out, even the afternoon was nice. Late afternoon? Not so nice. Rain, rain, rain. So stuck on the treadmill, treadmill, treadmill.

Luckily the plan was a quick four miles, so I didn't lose a lot of miles or have to spend so much time on the dreadmill that I was bored. It's also nice that the treadmills have satellite tv on the screens. I was able to take in half an old episode of Law and Order, them caught the top of the hour on CNN, which was all about today's storms. My thoughts go out to the families across the midwest impacted by the tornadoes today. I hope there is a rainbow at the end of this series of storms.

Well, that's about all she wrote today. Plan for tomorrow is a wine tasting up in Harford County, followed by a 5-6 mile jog. You should definitely check in for the write up on that one! Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.0
Time: 34:12 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: Smack dab in the middle of the dreadmills at 24 Hour Fitness
Feeling: Still a little tight and cranky in the left hamstring...hopefully just a few more days of this.

Ten percent...

Today was the federal budget roll out, so crunching percentage increases and decreases, overages and so on was the game of the day. It didn't stop with the end of the work day either...I surpassed the ten percent point on my year-long goal to hit 1000 miles by the end of 2012. The run was not what I expected for the one that would cross that milestone, but hey, miles are miles.

So why did my ten percent run end up occurring on a treadmill instead of the road or some nice trail somewhere? Yeah, my bad, I did not take my trail shoes with me this weekend to Ohio. The snow fall was pretty decent, at least decent enough to require better tread than my street shoes, so I was relegated to a no run weekend and a treadmill ten percenter. With luck, I'll cross the twenty percent threshold out on the open road :) Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 4.0
Time: 33:35 (average pace of 8:23 per mile)
Location: Treadmill hell at 24 Hour Fitness, Annapolis
Feeling: Outside would be better, but who can complain

More for your money, er leg power that is...

I'm ending January on a high note! Tonight I logged my longest run of the month (albeit on a treadmill), I logged the most miles in a single month ever (as far as I can remember...which today isn't far given at one point or another I thought it was either Monday or Wednesday and never Tuesday) and I am 1/12 of the way to achieving my new year's resolution by hitting my January goal of 80 miles. I only have to maintain the momentum for eleven more months and I'll hit that 1000 miles mark.

Now for how I hit that target today. So you all know the story about getting behind earlier this month due to travel in Ohio and California. And then you know about the down days last week with a late short run on Sunday. Yesterday when I got caught up with work and work activities until almost 10pm I really didn't think I would hit the goal for the month. But, I decided to wake up really early to do a run before work and then lock it down with another run after work. Well that didn't happen either...I just can not bring myself to get up for a morning run. So, after leaving my office at 7pm this evening I felt doomed for failure. I decided to go to the gym (too dark to run outside - you know my policy of avoiding injuries after dark) and just lay down as many miles as I could to minimize the catch up required during the already short month of February. I thought I'd get it down to 3 or 4...reasonable. As I started, however, I decided to dial down the speed and just plow through.

So I did it! One month down and two knees to ice. Happy trails!!!

Stats-
Miles: 9.62
Time: 88:40 (average pace of 9:13 per mile)
Location: 24 Hour Fitness Annapolis, Dreaded Treadmill Aisle
Feeling: Accomplished and ready for February (though I may have to take a day off first)