Comments (16)

By kilax, October 13, 2015 6:17 am

Darn, 6pm.com, why you gotta toy with my emotions like that?!

It would have been a steal to get my running shoes for $20!

The message reads: We apologize for being unable to add ASICS Women’s Gel-Cumulus 16 Turquoise/Sharp Green/Navy Sneaker 12 B – Medium to your cart. It is no longer available.

Actually, they could have been a holiday gift for my mom – she wears the same shoe and size as me, and that way she could be twinzies (quadruplies?) with me, Grandma and Christina (we all have them in this color).

No dice, though.

For sh*ts and giggles, I emailed 6pm.com to ask them about the error message. Ha, had I not sent the email myself, I would have thought their response was spam, with how poorly written it was (and oddly complimentary to me). Basically, the gist was that they are no longer available, and I should buy a more expensive pair (even though they were still listed at $20 for 24 hours after that response).

Hee hee hee, I know, I know – I am being greedy! But as a heavier runner with an odd landing style, my shoes don’t last very long, so I stock up! One time I found them for $45 a pair. Maybe that will happen again!

On a different shoe note, I am totally NOT in to dress shoes. I cleaned out my closet this weekend and gave a ton to Goodwill, and tossed quite a few pairs, and still feel like I have too many.

But you can never have too many pairs of running shoes.

Comments (14)

By kilax, October 11, 2015 1:26 pm

Highlight of the Week: Feeling strong on my runs and while teaching class!

Monday | October 5, 2015: 5.3 m run + teaching strength class
Loc: hood, Temp: 57°/58°, Time: 48:54, Pace: 9:13 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: great
Strength: plates and BOSUs, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Tuesday | October 6, 2015: 10 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 63°/59°, Time: 1:35:35, Pace: 9:33 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: fantastic – needed to decompress after work
Wednesday | October 7, 2015: rest
Thursday | October 8, 2015: 5 m run (incl. 2/4/6/8 ladder) + 10 mins kettlebells
Loc: hood, Temp: 74°/75°, Time: 45:21, Pace: 9:04 avg, Difficulty: hard, Felt: hot, challenged by the wind, SPENT
Friday | October 9, 2015: teaching strength class + 11 m run
Strength: plates and BOSUs, Difficulty: medium, Felt: great
Loc: Millennium Trail to Nippersink FP, Temp: 53°/56°, Time: 1:49:12, Pace: 9:55, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Saturday | October 10, 2015: 15 m run
Loc: around town, Temp: 42°/56°, Time: 2:35:37, Pace: 10:22 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: decent, sick to my stomach last 6
Sunday | October 11, 2015: 4 m run + 20 min ride
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 59°/63°, Time: 37:56, Pace: 9:28 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 63°/63°, Time: 20:00, Pace: 12.4 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, wish it wasn’t so windy

Notes:

• It’s so fun to run this time of year and see people’s Halloween decorations in my neighborhood! Some people really go all out.
• My stomach didn’t care too much for the honey stinger waffle I ate at mile 9 of my long run on Saturday. I hope it’s just because it got hard (from the cold), not because my stomach doesn’t like those anymore (those waffles have become part of my successful long run strategy and it would be annoying to have to replace them). Speaking of the “cold,” I ran by a man walking his dog, and after we greeted each other, he goes “it’s so chilly!” I told him the sun was keeping me warm (I was wearing shorts and a tank and not cold AT ALL).
• When I run or bike out by my house I say hello to everyone I encounter. Or at least smile and wave. It’s so funny to go from doing that, to being in the city for runs and just pretending you don’t see the other person. I still smile, but usually don’t get a smile in return (not that I run in the city that much – just thinking about it).
• Which kind of course do you think makes a long run feel “easier” – an out-and-back, or a loop (or my favorite, point-to-point, with a ride at the end)? I saw a link to this Women’s Running article about making your long run feel easier, and was surprised they said recommended an out-and-back. Their reasoning was that you just mentally tell yourself to run half the mileage, then turn around, and tell yourself to do that again. I prefer a loop, because I like to feel like I am running someplace “different” – the hardest part of my loops is the 2 miles I almost always have to run to get in and out of my neighborhood. Otherwise, I like that I am not running back by something I already ran by, that day. (Not to say I never do out-and-backs – I sure do! I just like loops).

Link to Training Week 311

Comments (2)

By kilax, October 4, 2015 9:35 pm

Highlight of the Week: Running on a new-to-us trail with Rachel in Wisconsin!

Monday | September 28, 2015: teaching strength class
Strength: box, kettlebells & boxing, Difficulty: medium, Felt: ok, tweaked IT band on a reverse lunge
Tuesday | September 29, 2015: rest
Wednesday | September 30, 2015: 3 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 55°/55°, Time: 26:50, Pace: 8:56 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good – just what I needed!
Thursday | October 1, 2015: 7 m run (incl. 4×800)
Loc: hood/Millennium Trail, Temp: 57°/55°, Time: 1:05:42, Pace: 9:23 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: challenged by the wind
Friday | October 2, 2015: teaching strength class + 4 m run
Strength: box, kettlebells & boxing, Difficulty: medium, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 52°/52°, Time: 41:37, Pace: 10:24, Difficulty: easy, Felt: super irritated with running belt and music player
Saturday | October 3, 2015: 12 m run + 10 mins kettlebells + 4 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail to Nippersink FP, Temp: 50°/51°, Time: 2:05:22, Pace: 10:27 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 51°/52°, Time: 37:36, Pace: 9:23 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Sunday | October 4, 2015: 10 m ride + 11.4 m run (w/Rachel)
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 51°/51°, Time: 51:15, Pace: 11.7 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: White River State Trail, Temp: 49°/50°, Time: 1:57:39, Pace: 10:19 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, but a bit tired

Notes:

• Gah, my Monday night strength class completely wrecked my legs for several days after! It’s odd – we’d been doing that mode of workout for two weeks, so I didn’t expect to have that reaction (my legs should be used to it!). A potential new instructor was taking my class – maybe I was going harder than I normally do because they were there?!
• I’ve been picking the wrong days for my speedwork, the last few weeks. My 9/11 session had 8 mph winds with 17 mph gusts, my 9/17 session was 16 mph winds with 23 mph gusts, and my 10/1 session was 16 mph winds with 26 mph gusts. I guess that prepared me for the last 5K I did having 9 mph winds (I really didn’t even feel them!).
• Speaking of wind, man, it was just nutso windy here most of the week. I think this (pdf here) has something to do with it! I didn’t mind the cold that came along with the wind, but it was frustrating to have it pushing me around.
• Rachel and I found a new meet-in-the-middle spot for running – the White River State Trail in Wisconsin! It’s a 19-mile trail on a former rail corridor. We ran 11 miles of it today, and we look forward to running the whole thing together, sometime! It was so nice to see Rachel and catch up on the run!
• It’s nuts that it’s already October, and time for another monthly recap! I ran 178.1 miles and cycled 54.7 in September. I taught 8 strength classes and swam 1 time. Hmm, unless I get a gym membership, that was probably my last swim of the year! I also did three strength workouts at home. I’d love to keep that up, but I’ve said that before… ha.

Link to Training Week 310

Comments (33)

By kilax, October 1, 2015 6:18 am

• Has anyone tried RaceDots? They’re a magnetic alternative to using safety pins to keep your race bib secured on your shirt. I saw them mentioned in the October Competitor magazine and thought they looked cool. It says to keep them away from electronic devices though, so that wouldn’t work if you carry your phone at your waist.
• Also seen in the October issue of Competitor – an interview with Steve Jones (former world marathon record holder) saying: “Mass participation has hurt the sport and racing, in my mind. I don’t believe starting and finishing a marathon makes you a marathoner,” and the running industry is huge and magazines cater to “people who are running 4 hours for a marathon or 25 minutes for a 5K. And that’s not running in my mind.” Ouch, Steve! Tell us how you really feel! I wonder how many modern day elites feel that the masses are ruining the sport, with our slow marathon finish times. We’ve all seen stats that overall marathon finish times have gotten slower, as more people do the sport. But I always say (and it seems like I am saying this a lot, lately) – isn’t it better people are moving, at all? As long as it’s safe for them? If a marathon caters to that finish time and people want to train to do it at that pace, why not let them? What does it matter to you?
• Since I am already ranting… I don’t understand why people pronounce Data’s name wrong, after they’ve heard me say it. He is named after Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation, which is pronounced Day-tuh, not Dat-uh. I know people say it both ways, when they are talking about information, but this is a proper name! Don’t you want people to say your name right? Ha ha ha, I know, he’s a cat. I’ll stop before I get too crazy cat lady on ya.

He obviously cares, a lot.

• It’s October 1st! I have 31 days to figure out Halloween costumes! I am sure I’ll be scrambling the last week of October, per usual.
• Also, it’s October 1st and a government shutdown was averted! Hurrah! I’m still shocked I couldn’t work for 16 days in October 2013 when we had a shutdown. I really didn’t think it would happen. And that’s all I will say, here! Ha ha.

Link to Random Thoughts Thursday 76

Comments Off on Training Week 310

By kilax, September 27, 2015 3:59 pm

Highlight of the Week: All the fun workouts with Gina!

Monday | September 21, 2015: 5 m run + 6 m run + teaching strength class
Loc: hood, Temp: 64°/67°, Time: 47:18, Pace: 9:27 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, but irritated
Loc: trail to hood, Temp: 67°/65°, Time: 56:42 Pace: 9:26 avg, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: surprisingly good
Strength: box, kettlebells and boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Tuesday | September 22, 2015: rest day!
Wednesday | September 23, 2015: 10 m run (incl. 5 hill repeats, w/Gina) + 10 mins kettlebells (w/Gina)
Loc: Grant Woods FP, Temp: 58°/70°, Time: 1:40:58, Pace: 10:06 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: pretty good!
Thursday | September 24, 2015: 8.5 m run (w/Gina)
Loc: Chicago Lakefront Trail, Temp: 62°/67°, Time: 1:21:45, Pace: 9:37 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Friday | September 25, 2015: teaching strength class + 15.7 m ride (w/Gina)
Strength: box, kettlebells and boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: okay, but off
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 59°/61°, Time: 1:30:03 Pace: 10:05 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good!
Saturday | September 26, 2015: Big Hollow PTO 5K (+WU & CD w/Gina)
Loc: Fish Lake Rd, Temp: 65°/66°, Time: 23:02, Pace: 7:27 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: okay
Sunday | September 27, 2015: 21 m run (w/Gina and Steve (last 10 w/Steve))
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 62°/66°, Time: 3:33:10, Pace: 10:09 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: strong

Notes:

• What a great week! Gina’s been here since Tuesday night, so we got to run together four times (and with Steve, on Sunday)! On Thursday we went down to the city and ran a fun “city view” route so Gina could see all the cool Chicago vantage points. It’s such a treat to have her here! And I felt strong for all of my runs, which made me happy – the last time I saw her I wasn’t the best running partner (because I was getting over a stomach thing and it was crazy humid and a bit warm).
• I surpassed last year’s running mileage (1610.8) during today’s run (I’m at 1629). Yay! Now I am going after 2013’s mileage (1915.1).
• I am not signed up for any more races this year, but do have a few in mind (the 5K yesterday was one of them – we decided to run it midweek) – a few 5Ks, maybe a half marathon… maybe a marathon if I decide to lose some weight. But I will be content to keep running and not do any races, too.
• I’ve actually done some strength training at home the last three weeks (as opposed to just doing it while teaching class). I’d love to keep that going.

Link to Training Week 309

Comments (9)

By kilax, September 26, 2015 12:37 pm

Every year, there are a couple of 5Ks held on a quiet-ish, hilly road right by my house. And I’ve never been able to participate in one… which kind of kills me, ha ha.

So when I knew Gina would be in town this weekend, and that her training plan* called for a practice 5K the day before her 20-22 miler, I looked around for 5Ks and lo and behold, one of the super close ones was going on, and on the day we needed to do a 5K! YAY!!!!

It was the Big Hollow PTO, held to raise funds to support the PTO for the local grade and middle school. Even though I don’t have kids, I thought it was awesome the race went toward something that was going right back in to the community! And they had other fundraiser events going on for the race too – different raffles and games (sadly, we did not win the basket full of Lego sets we both wanted, darn).

I was hoping for amazing fall weather for Gina’s visit… like… cool temps. We’ve had BEAUTIFUL sunny days, and not crazy humidity, but it was a bit sunny and warm this morning for the race – 65°F and 90% humidity. Probably still better than what Gina is used to running in Texas! But during our warmup run from my house (so cool we could run to the race) I was feeling too hot and already had sweat dripping down my arms!

A little sunny on the course… some shade, too, though!

I was confident Gina could run a PR. She’s been putting in lots of miles to get ready for the NYC marathon, and for me, that has translated over to faster 5Ks (even without speedwork). I was hoping it would for her, too. I told her I thought she could run a 23:30 (her PR was 24:14). I also told her if she ran with me, she would have way positive splits <— truth. She said as long as she hit her time goal for races, she doesn’t care if she positive splits. She said she would try to chase me. I was hoping to run 7:30 average pace, which would be just under 23:30.

Yeah. You guys know me. I took off way too fast. Like I said I would – first mile in 7:06! Oops! The course had two out and backs, which aren’t my favorite, but it was nice I could see Gina that way, and see she was right behind me.

So, those hills I mentioned? Yeah. They’re small little rollers that are a bit challenging on a 5K. I wasn’t sure how deep in to them we’d get – I was struggling to read the course map, and kept hoping it stopped before the hills. Nope! We got to run most of them! I tried to stay strong and keep the overall female in my sights. My second mile was 7:42. Eek!

Hills, hills, hills

During the second mile, we ran past a mark on the road that said “5K turn around” but kept going and for awhile I worried the course was long. Luckily, it was not, and my watch hit 2 miles right around their 2 mile sign. That spray paint must be from an old race! Phew!

I tried to keep booking it in the third mile. I saw race photographers and tried to have good form and not look like crapola and that helped me pick up the pace at the moment, but my third mile was still 7:54. Buah ha ha. And I had that coppery/blood taste in my mouth for most of the last two miles, too. Yuck.

I finished the last tenth in 00:23 (not accurate – my Garmin stats were a bit short) and was so happy to finish (in 23:02) then see Gina come in behind me in 23:35! A 39 second PR for her!!!! I’m so proud of her! I ran her first 5K with her (the NYCM Dash) in November 2011 and it’s been so fun to watch her running journey! I think she is a natural runner and has a lot of speed in her!

We ended up placing 2nd and 3rd overall, and 1st in our age groups! Fun! We love medals! Ha.

I saw a lot of people I knew at this race, which was fun. I saw a neighbor, who is on the PTO, running club friends, Chris and Sarah, and I saw Heather! We both didn’t know the other would be there, and it was so fun to see her and wish her good luck before she runs the Milwaukee Marathon next week!

This was definitely a small race, but well run. They didn’t have chip timing, so we started at the front. There were two water stops, the course was accurate, and we had a bike leading our way. The police were at the out and backs, which was great, and the course was closed. There was a weird thing with a car at the first out and back being on course, but I ran around it.

There was also a kid’s quarter mile and half mile race. And I think everyone got participation ribbons! They had ample food, water, and different vendors and kids games. They did a great job with it, and I’d like to do it again, if I get the opportunity!

Now, to see how that long run goes tomorrow…

*I helped her come up with this plan. She is signed up for the Dash and the NYC Marathon, which are on Saturday and Sunday, and the idea was to see how she feels running long after doing a 5K the day before.

Comments (14)

By kilax, September 22, 2015 6:36 am

Thing 1 | There’s an older gentleman (in his 70s/80s?) I often see riding a bike in our neighborhood. The first time I saw him, I had a similar reaction to when I see anyone working out – “that’s so great he’s being active!” and “where is his helmet?!!??!?!” Ha.

Then I started seeing him time and time again (we must have a similar workout schedule). We started waving to each other. Then, about a month ago, he started wearing a helmet for all his rides (phew)!!! On one ride he was wearing a Cubs jersey – I thought that was really cute.

During my run yesterday, I saw him coming my way, and was getting ready to wave to him. I could tell he was about to turn a corner though, and thought maybe he didn’t see me. But he did! He actually slowed down at the corner, so he could wave, before he turned. Aww. That really made me smile!

Then we saw each other AGAIN (and waved) during my second run! Double feature!

Maybe one day we’ll actually talk to one another. Ha ha.

Thing 2 | There are two sets of sisters who take classes together at Essential Fitness (aka Efit, where I teach strength training classes). Isn’t that fun? I think it would be awesome to take a weekly fitness class with my snis, if we lived in the same town.

One time, we went rock climbing together!

Interestingly, one set of sisters work for the same place, and the other set have the same job, at different places! That’s kind of like me and my snis – we both have the same title of “Interior Designer,” (only one of us really is, and one of us really IS NOT) in different cities.

BONUS Thing 3 |  I get to see my bestie, Gina, tonight! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!

Comments (2)

By kilax, September 20, 2015 11:39 am

Highlight of the Week: All the neat wildlife and beautiful scenery I saw on my runs and bike ride!

Monday | September 14, 2015: 8 m run + teaching strength class
Loc: to Nippersink FP, Temp: 80°/80°, Time: 1:25:00, Pace: 10:37 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: hot
Strength: box, kettlebells and boxing, Difficulty: medium, Felt: good
Tuesday | September 15, 2015: rest
Wednesday | September 16, 2015: 7 m run + 10 mins kettlebells
Loc: hood, Temp: 66°/57°, Time: 1:12:16, Pace: 10:19 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: sleepy, bored
Thursday | September 17, 2015: 5 m run (incl. 4×400)
Loc: hood, Temp: 74°/77°, Time: 47:29, Pace: 9:29 avg, Difficulty: easy-ish, Felt: good, hot, but not like death!
Friday | September 18, 2015: teaching strength class + 7 m run
Strength: box, kettlebells and boxing , Difficulty: easy, Felt: good but tired (didn’t sleep well)
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 71°/70°, Time: 1:09:19, Pace: 9:54, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Saturday | September 19, 2015: 15 m run
Loc: to Grayslake and back, Temp: 57°/60°, Time: 2:36:35, Pace: 10:26 avg, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: decent enough, sore glutes from class
Sunday | September 20, 2015: 20.1 m ride (w/Julie & Michele) + 3 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 47°/61°, Time: 2:03:14, Pace: 9.8 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, hungry
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 64°/64°, Time: 29:16, Pace: 9:45 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, thirsty

Notes:

• No more goulash for lunch before an afternoon run. Ouch – I had heartburn during my Monday run. Also on the do not eat before a run list: pickles (but can eat during, weird), Boca burgers, tortilla chips (sadness), cous cous, and yeah, anything with tomatoes.
• When I run really early in the morning, I try hard not to wake up Data so he won’t think it’s time to eat (and I won’t feel guilty for not feeding him yet). I was almost successful on Wednesday. I was about to head out the door when I heard him come down the stairs. Sigh. Then he was waiting for me on the couch when I came back for bathroom break #1. Then at the window for bathroom break #2. I gave in and gave him some dry food. Ha ha.
• Ugh, those bathroom breaks! I’ve changed my diet a bit and my stomach is not… very happy. Just so gassy (TMI). It’ll get used to it soon.
• I thought this CNN interview (pdf here) with Dean Karnazes was fun to read. I especially love his favorite quote about running – “Quem corre porgosto, não cansa” (Who runs for pleasure, never tires). That may be mine now, too!
• I tend to run the same routes during the week since Steven and I share a car and I don’t want to take it all the time to run someplace different (in case he needs it). Luckily, I have trails and forest preserves nearby that I can get to by foot. With all of that being said, I am looking forward to some runs in different places this week! It’s nice to switch things up from time to time.
• Here are some photos to back up the “highlight of the week” mentioned above!

Link to Training Week 308

Comments (18)

By kilax, September 15, 2015 6:23 am

There was a time this year when I thought I wouldn’t be able to run the Wisconsin Half Marathon in 2016 because of a conflicting important event that I absolutely intend on attending. I was sad at the thought of missing the race. Which seems silly, but I was. The Wisconsin Half Marathon holds a special place in my heart – it was the first half marathon I ever ran (and with Steven!) and it was the inaugural race year. I’ve run it every year since, and 2016 would be my 8th year!

Luckily, the date changed for the other event, so I can attend both. YAY! The streak lives on!

Frosty 2013

My Wisconsin Half Marathon race streak is tied with the Frosty Footrace 5K – 7 years so far, at each.

Streak consistent? Yes. Pace consistent? Err…

I bet that is not a very long streak compared to other bloggers who’ve been running consistently much longer than me!

As in years past, I have a custom coupon code for any local (or non local, come join us!!!) peeps who want to run the Wisconsin Half or Full Marathon. Use WMKIM16 for $5 off either event. Registration opens today!

I wonder if that cheese man will be on the medal this year?

In full disclosure, if 10 people use my code, I will get a free race entry.

It’s funny to be thinking about a race that’s in May of next year, in September! But this race, and yes, the Frosty Footrace, are the only two I always plan to do ahead, and try as hard as I can not to miss! I wonder what year the streak will finally break?!

Comments (4)

By kilax, September 13, 2015 5:32 pm

Highlight of the Week: When people said they had fun at my fitness boxing class (and that they liked my playlist!).

Monday | September 7, 2015: Benefit Classic Half Marathon (first 8.75 w/Gina & Steve)
Loc: Dubuque, Temp: 69°/71°, Time: 2:20:59, Pace: 10:45 avg, Difficulty: medium, Felt: not my best, but ok!
Tuesday | September 8, 2015: rest
Wednesday | September 9, 2015: 10 mins kettlebells + 2 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 70°, Time: 19:20, Pace: 9:40 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, enjoyed the breeze
Thursday | September 10, 2015: 5 m run
Loc: hood, Temp: 61°/62°, Time: 47:32, Pace: 9:30 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: refreshed by the rain!
Friday | September 11, 2015: teaching strength class + 6 m run (incl. 3×1600)
Strength: soft balls, Difficulty: hard, Felt: good but out of it
Loc: hood, Temp: 61°/61°, Time: 55:20, Pace: 9:12, Difficulty: easy/medium, Felt: surprisingly good
Saturday | September 12, 2015: 7.2 m ride + teaching fitness boxing + 7.6 m ride + 3 m run
Loc: home to Efit, Temp: 51°/50°, Time: 36:06, Pace: 12.0 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good, but wished I was running!
Strength: body weight and boxing, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Efit to home, Temp: 53°, Time: 37:32, Pace: 12.2 mph avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 61°/61°, Time: 27:49, Pace: 9:16 avg, Difficulty: easy, Felt: good
Sunday | September 13, 2015: 19 m run
Loc: Millennium Trail, Temp: 49°/65°, Time: 3:19:38, Pace: 10:30 avg, Difficulty: mostly easy, Felt: really good!

Notes:

• Ugh. I feel like a total ass for almost always being out of shape when I run with Gina and Steve. Or, like last weekend, being sick (and sucking at running in the humidity, but I don’t feel bad about that – there isn’t much I can do about it, ha!). Gina and Steve are visiting in two weeks, so hopefully I will have some redemption then!
• Did you hear about the police officer (Lt. Joe Gliniewicz) that was killed in Fox Lake, Illinois? Fox Lake is really close to where I live, and it’s been heart warning to see so many support signs, lights and even car decals for him out on my runs through the neighborhood. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. I hope the authorities figure out what happened so they mystery isn’t looming around his loved ones.
• I did my long(er) run by myself this week (like I normally do) and thought I was going on a trail where I wouldn’t see many other people, but I saw 93 other people out and about (counting them gave me something to do, ha ha)! Must be the nice weather (hallelujah!) and that I went out later in the morning. I saw one older gentleman wearing a shirt that said “I may be old but I saw all the cool bands.” HA!
• Even though my Sunday long run was on a trail with no shade and in the full sun, the cooler temps, slight breeze and LOW HUMIDITY made SUCH a difference in how I felt. Yay, early fall temps! I felt so good that I ran really even splits (for me) and my last mile was my fastest. Yee haw!

Link to Training Week 307