April in Review - 241 total miles

For the month of April, i concentrated on getting my weekly mileage up, consistently increasing it. I ran a total of 241 miles in April, most of them at an easy pace. This is about a 90 mile increase from March. I had a very consistent month, with only a few days of no running. I am looking forward to racing next month

Friday, April 30th - 4:30 a.m.

The alarm clock rang early this morning, i did not want to get up. Went to a book release last night, so not enough sleep. I ran only 6 miles, but at least it was better than sleeping in!!

Thursday, April 29th - 4:30 a.m.

Mr. Freeze is still hanging around, but good news, he will be gone by the weekend. My long run should be shorts and no shirt weather. Sweet!!!!!! Did 8 easy this morning.

Wednesday, April 28th - 4:30 a.m.

Tried to get to bed early last night, would love to be asleep at 8!!!! Ran 10 miles easy in the park this morning, it was in the 30's, so unfortunately, I had to wear gloves and tights. Soon enough, my morning runs will be balmy....

Tuesday, April 27th - 4:00 p.m.

Got to go out with Ash and G on a 4 mile run tonight. It was enjoyable, but began to get a little chilly. Sorry about that G!!

Tuesday, April 27th - 5:20 a.m.

Accidently rolled over and went back to sleep, but managed to spring out of bed and scurry out to the park to at least get in 5 miles. I'll make up the other mileage later in the week

Monday, April 26th - 9:00 p.m.

I needed rest last night, I had to sleep in this morning, so that meant i got to run in the rain tonight. I just took it easy, my pace was over 7 minutes, but that's fine with me. I covered the 10 miles, and took a nice hot shower when i was done!!!

Week In Review

This week, my total was 64 miles, only 3 shy of my goal. That is not bad, considering I did not run Sunday. I had a great tempo run this week, which is encouraging this early. Also, my long run was very smooth and even. This coming week I have a goal of 74 miles with a long run of 18 miles. It only goes up from here!!

Sunday, April 25th - 5:00 a.m.

Chef Andy has been up since 1:30 a.m. preparing for Ashley surprise birthday dinner today, so running was not an option this morning.........

Saturday, April 24th - 2:00 p.m.

Ash and Gabriel and I jogged down first to the ASICS store in Bryant Park to pick up our free marathon hats, then over to Grand Central for the Green Earth Day fair, which was a let down. Then back home. We amassed about 4 miles of running. Better than taking the subway!!

Saturday April 24th, 5:00 a.m.

This morning, I again took to the streets of New York and did a lap around Manhattan Island. For the first time, my long morning run was actually greeted by daylight.

(What do you see on your morning run?)

It was a very even run, covering 17 miles in 1:55 plus 1 mile cool down jog. The first 11 miles I did at 6:49 pace, stopped at a local track and did 1 mile at 6:00, then continued the last 5 miles at 6:46. I felt great the whole run, but am getting thirsty, no water fountains were working in the riverside park, which is half the run, and the other parks only have 2 working fountains total. Might have to start bringing hydration!!

Friday, April 23rd - 5:00 a.m.

Slow, tired, just getting in miles. I got 8 done. Looking forward to my 17 miles tomorrow!!

Thursday, April 22nd - 4:30 a.m.

It was a rough morning, Tuesday's tempo run has caught up with me. Scheduled for 10, my legs could only make 7, I simply had nothing left. Need some energy, at least I did not sleep in!!

Wednesday, April 21rst - 4:30 a.m.

...and 5 hours later I am running again. This time, 7 easy miles above 7 minutes per mile. No need to go hard, plus I am way too tired......

Tuesday, April 20th - 10:00 p.m.

Today the alarm did not go off, i opted to run tonight. My easy 10 grew into a tempo 11-mile run by accident. It turned out to be an awesome run. The splits are as follows:

Warmup
- 1.5 miles - 6:50 per mile
Tempo
-4.0 miles - 6:00 per mile
-1.75 miles - 5:42 per mile
-1.75 miles - 5:38 per mile
-1 mile - 6:08 per mile
Cool down
-1 mile - 7:30 per mile

I was shocked at my fitness level and how good i felt. It was my first tempo run in months, and was considerably faster than i could have hoped for.

Monday, April 19th - 4:30 a.m.

The cold is still here, I managed to fit in 7 miles this morning, although I felt like rolling over and going back to sleep. It was slow and easy, I'm hoping it will be gone soon, i do not want to have to take time off for it.

Week in Review

I hit my goal of 61 miles this week, including a 17 mile long run, and a 1-mile fitness test where i did a 5:08 road mile. It's not so impressive right now, but it gives me a place to start from. I will be adding a tempo run this week, most likely on Thursday morning. I'm glad to be on target, despite the fact i have a cold right now. Hopefully it will clear up soon.

Sunday, April 18th - 5:00 a.m.

Sore, tired, and snotty, I trudged through a slow 8 miles. Then I came back and fell asleep on the couch. I' m ready for this cold to be gone.....

Saturday, April 17th - 5:00 a.m.

I had a little bit of a fever yesterday, but this morning it was down. So, i ran anyway. I did not feel well the first few miles, but soon enough, i was able to get into a groove. I did 17 miles @ 6:52 pace. I was definitely not feeling 100%, so i was pleased with the results. 8 miles to go and i will hit my mileage mark for the week!!

Friday, April 16th - 5:30 a.m

Kind of got a late start this morning. Feeling a little stiff from the 1-mile fitness test yesterday. I managed to jog a slow 4-mile. Hopefully i can pick up a few extra miles this evening, that is, if it's not a down pour

Thursday, April 15th - 4:30 a.m.

This morning, I assessed my fitness level, to kind of get an idea of where I need to set my tempo run paces and my interval paces. I started with a 3 mile warm-up to get loose. Then I did a 1-mile, hard as i could go (at this hour, anyway), then followed it with 3 miles easy. I finished the mile in 5:08. I am pleased with this, and figured this was about where i was. Soon, I am going to do the same test, except on a track. Tracks are just not open at the time i am running right now.

Wednesday, April 14th - 5:00 p.m.

Ash and G and I went out for a nice jog on the Bridle Path around Central Park. Halfway through the run, we stopped at a playground on the South End of the and had a great time with Gabriel exploring! We managed to get in 3 miles of running. It was so enjoyable to get out in the afternoon sun.

Wednesday, April 14th - 5:00 am

Yesterday on my morning run, I developed a blister on my right heel, right at the top of the shoe. I put a bandaid on it this morning, but the rubbing was too much. I cut my run to 4 miles, I figured it was stupid to do much more in such pain. I'm going to lather it with "New Skin" and hopefully it will not be a problem tomorrow

Tuesday, April 13th - 4:30 a.m.

ZZZZZzzzzzz.......So tired this morning. Not enough sleep last night, I need to work on getting to bed earlier. Accomplished 7 miles, although it was slow. But, still mileage. I wish I could get back in bed this morning instead of going to work!!!

Monday, April 12th - 6:00 p.m

Ash, G and I were able to soak up the last few remaing rays of sun. We had a nice 3 mile jog on the bridal path. It has been so nice now that he is growing up, we can take him exploring, and not be in fear of the inconsolable screaming that used to happen. So glad we get this time to spend with each other.

Monday, April 12th - 5:00 a.m.

Still feeling tired from my run on Saturday, I was able to get 6 miles run this morning, in no record speed by any means, about a 7:15 pace. Hopefully I can get energized here soon, I am feeling so tired

Week in Review

It was a tough week from the start, no running for the first 3 days due to traveling and moving storage spaces. I managed to accumualte 42 miles regardless, including a long run of 16 miles that was at a pace of 6:50. I'm happy with the success of the end of teh week, and have rearranged my schedule to accomodate the time off. The next week I will be aiming for 62 rather than the 52 that is written in the schedule. I'm feeling like I am getting fitter, but still have not completely adjusted to the 4:30 a.m. running time. I still feel groggy and heavy. Hopefully this next week will bring better feelings.

Sunday, April 11th - 5:00 a.m.

Whew! Yesterday took it out of me. I had nothing this morning, plus Gabriel was having a rough night, so I was in and out of the bed since 3 am. I tried to do 8, but had nothing in my legs, I actually stopped a walked for a while at mile 3. I think i didn't eat enough yesterday, and not enough sleep, combined with that being my longest run since th 2009 NYC Marathon. I did the smart thing, went slow, and chopped it to 6 miles. I will probably go out later and run a few more with Ash and G! At least it was mileage....

Saturday, April 10th - 5:00 p.m.

Ash and G and I went out and did a nice easy 2 mile jog, enjoying the last little bit of sun light. Nice ending to the day, and it helped me work out some soreness.

Saturday, April 10th - 4:30 a.m.

I had a nice solid 16 mile run this morning, 6:50 pace. Its been my longest run of this build up, and longest since last NYC marathon. It felt great,and I had plenty of energy to finish strong. Its so nice to have the city to myself at that hour, I saw nobody for the first hour of the run as i looped around Manhattan. Hope NYC turns on the water fountains soon, i can't go much longer with no water

Friday, April 9th - 4:00 p.m.

Got to go running in the park with Ash and G after work today. After we finished our 3 mile run, we played at the Wild West Park.

Friday, April 9th - 5:15 a.m.

Got a little late start this morning, was able to squeeze in 6 miles. It was cool and rainy, and I forgot my watch and my Ipod was dead. At least its mileage. I think i will be switching this week and next week as far as mileage goals are concerned. Its just been an off week, but I will be running later with Ash and G. So I know that will be enjoyable.

Thursday, April 8th - 4:30 a.m.

Slow, sad 6 miles. Struggling to run, I need to catch up on my rest. The first part of this week has taken its toll on me. I am whooped. Hopefully next week will be better, once we get back in a routine!

Wednesday, April 7th - Foiled Again

This week is pretty much shot as far as mileage. After such a rough few days, it was impossible to get up early and run this morning, and Ashley and Gabriel came back today. Just a lot of catching up to do, and a lot of resting. I may make this my down week. No running today.

Tuesday, April 6th - Exhausted

I drove through the night last night, taking only 1 30 minute nap. I did not actually get home and teh car unloaded till 4 pm, and then fell asleep!! Unfortunatly, i could not run today either. This traveling is really going to screw up my week

Monday, April 5th - Day of Rest

Since I will be driving through the night tonight, I have opted to take the day off.

Week In Review

I managed to hit 55.7 miles for the week, with a solid 14.5 mile long run. I was happy with the week considering I was in places I was not accustomed to running and lack of street lights. But I made it work. Onward and upward. Next week is 61 miles, although I will be challenged to meet it with overnight traveling and the moving of a storage space. I will do my best!

Sunday, April 4th - 4:00 pm

Ash and I headed out for a 3.6 mile jog, while G played at home. It was nice and refreshing to get out, although a little warm!!

Sunday, April 4th - 5:00 a.m.

A pedestrian 6 miles this morning, I am so incredibly sore from my long run yesterday. I think combining that with the day of moving has worn me out. I will be taking off Monday since I will be driving a moving truck through the night, i need my energy.

Saturday, April 3rd - 4:30 a.m.

Today was another long run, I'm gradually increasing the length each week. This morning it was 14 miles. I felt great, and I ran on some of the roads i used to run on years ago. I over estimated the amount of sidewalks the highways I had, i remembered them having so much more. I was able to avoid the cars and put in 14.5 miles at a 6:50 pace. I now i have the rest of the day to visit people.

Friday, April 2nd - False Alarm

So, the alarm did not go off this morning, which meant i slept in till 8, which is amazing that Gabriel slept that long. That threw my whole day off, and i had to do a lot of furniture moving the rest of the day. That means, i had to take an unplanned day off. I'll rest up for my long run tomorrow

Thursday, April 1st - 5:00 a.m

I did 7 miles in my sleep this morning, i was out of gas, and it was a trudge just to get out on the road. Again, not enough sleep, hopefully tonight i can change that