Happy Halloween!

50 mins. ellip. incl. 6x3 mins. on, 3 mins. off
2x20 water pump extensions=80

I made it to the gym this morning before a long day of work, which seemed to drag forever. However, the day was made bearable by knowing that there were plans for a fun Halloween evening with friends. A late evening downpour did its best to deter even the most intrepid trick-or-treaters, but fortunately the downpour ceased in time for a few vampires and Supermans to enjoy some of our candy.

Read More

Successful Baby Workout

Friday, 10/30
19 min. w/u (2.5 miles)
2 mile predator run in 12:33 (6:20, 6:13)
17 min. c/d (2 miles)
Total: 6.5 miles

Thursday, 10/29
AM: 30 mins. ellip.
15 mins. core
PM: 45 mins. ellip.
2x20 water pump extensions=80

As you know, the word "success" as defined when one is coming back from injury is relative. Although the pace I ran today averaged out to almost the exact same pace I ran for a half marathon in June, I couldn't have been happier to run sub-6:30 (hell, I would've taken sub-7) on my first baby workout. Jenna ran with the the entire way, which was a huge help, and kept me engaged in conversation for the first 1.5. That's right, I was able to hold up a conversation for almost 10 minutes of this effort. That in itself may be the most encouraging part; that, and Scott observing that my form looked good when he spotted us with 400m to go. Don't get me wrong; I was definitely pressing toward the end, and my body seemed entirely perplexed, as evidenced by the tightening of everything from my arms to my low back. But this was definitely an encouraging starting point, one that leaves me eager to improve my fitness as much as possible between now and nationals.

Read More

Two Days in a Row

Wednesday, 10/28
AM: 4.5 mile run
30 mins. pool
2.75 mile run
2x20 water pump extensions=80
Total: 7+ miles

Tuesday, 10/27
AM: ~6.5 miles
2x20 water pump extensions=80
PM: 25 mins. ellip.

Despite the fact that it amounts to less than Jilane does on her typical warmup, I was pretty proud of myself to notch 13+ miles in little more than 24 hours. And, more importantly, to feel good doing it. Not "good" as in fit, but "good" as in my hip cooperated fully. The thought of running Thursday is quite tempting, but I'm going to do my best to restrain myself in hopes of saving up for a stellar predator run Friday. That, and I'm so busy with the week from hell right now that I wouldn't really have time to fit in an extra workout if I wanted to.


Fall foliage in Freedom Park, with view of the
B of A headquarters in Uptown

Also, just to state the obvious, I feel very, very out of shape at present. However I've decided to frame this situation positively, so I keep telling myself that every time I run, I'm gaining fitness. I mean that quite literally. When you're at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up.

Read More

Being Smart and Stuff

AM: 50 mins. ellip.
PM: 30 mins. ellip.
15 mins. core

Started the week off without running. Although I definitely wanted to get out there, Simmons and I both agree that I need to take it slow and keep things under control. I have four days of running on the schedule for this week, including a short predator run on Friday (don't laugh, thanks) and a "long run" of 8 on Sunday. Looking forward to it.

Read More

Week in Review

25 miles
4 hours 30 mins. elliptical
30 mins. pool
6 AFDs
1 Team MJ run

I'm getting there...

Read More

A New Record

AM: 7 miles
2x20 water pump extensions
PM: 30 mins. pool

Yes, you read that correctly; I ran 7 miles today. Trust me, it's a big deal. Had I not been running with Jenna the entire time and keeping myself distracted with our conversation, I'm sure I would've been focusing on nothing but how pathetically out of shape I am. Instead, I managed to make it to the last few miles before I was really laboring.

Post run Simmons showed me some one-legged exercises he wants me to do every day called water pump extensions. Basically you rest your back leg on something like a rail or a bench, do a squat with the other leg, then come up and extend onto your tiptoes. It's supposed to remind all my limbs to fire in approximately the same direction or something like that. Anyhow, 2 sets of 20 on each side was plenty for my already fatigued muscles. Count this as a successful "long run" in the books.

Read More

Candlelight 8k

AM: 50 mins. ellip.
PM: Candlelight 8k volunteering

Jordan won some surprise cash tonight at the Candlelight 8k.


Me, Tanya and Benny handed out water and cheered people on

Read More