Blog Posts From Who wants to get active: Megan Tagged With running

Week 20: California Oranges, Gardening in the Rain, and 20+ Miles

MegNH — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:24:55 GMT

California Oranges:

This week my Uncle Jerry (my dad's brother, whom I've never met) sent us oranges, from the tree in his back yard. What a treat! They were so delicious words could not describe it.

The Gardening Project:

The garden is half-way finished. We've got three more beds to put in and about half the planting left. My dear sweet husband worked on it in the rain this week. We won't be quite so pinched for time once the garden is done. (I plan to make the kids do the weeding. Aren't I a loving mother? he-he)

My Dad's Memorial:

I wouldn't bring this one up (because death is such an awkward subject for so many people), but it has to do with running. So, if you're squeamish about death/dying skip ahead. My dad's memorial will be held in southern Arizona in mid May. So I did a little 'net search on my 'puter. And, lucky me, there's a 5k road race in Tucson (close by) the day after my dad's memorial. It starts at 7am and evidently it's a good PR course. Woo-hoo! I'll be showered and back with the grieving relatives by 9am.

Week 20: 21+ miles

Mon: 4+ miles (treadmill)

Tues: off

Wed: 4 miles (track w.o.)

Thurs: 4+ miles (treadmill)

Fri: off

Sat: 4+ miles (treadmill) and weights

Sun: 5 miles (It stopped raining and I ran on the road! Yippy!)

Week 21 Goal: 20+ miles

Mon: 4 miles (weights?)

Tues: off

Wed: 4 miles Track WO

Thurs: 4 miles (weights?)

Fri: off

Sat: 4-5 miles

Sun 4-5 miles

Keeping Track

MegNH — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:53:52 GMT

I felt better during this week's workout. I didn't really run any faster. But at least I didn't feel like I was running under water, like last week.

The best part about group track workouts is hanging with all the other slow runners. It seems we all dream of running as fast as those that whiz past us. We watched (with admiration) as one of the fast groups came in from their 1600 (I think). The times being called 5:28, 5:31, etc. A gentleman in our group said longingly, "Oh, but to do it in 5:28." We all chuckled.

I did a better job keeping track of my times this week. Here they are:

400 (2:00)

Rest 400 (2:14)

800 (4:07)

Rest 400 (2:28)

1200 (6:14)

Rest 800 (5:30?) I can't remember the exact times for the next three; but these are close estimates.

800 (4:20?)

Rest 400 (2:40?)

400 (1:48) I got tired of the little old lady beating me. So I ran this one a lot faster. She still beat me.

1200 slow jog

On a parenting note: I had to hire a babysitter. My husband had to go back to work for a second-shift employee meeting. It was his (and his bosses) job to explain to them why their raises wouldn't match the rising cost of fuel and groceries. Fun, eh? Anyway, instead of wasting an opportunity to be alone, we met up after our respective obligations and had a lovely dinner. I had fillet mignon and two glasses of wine. A rare and priceless evening in the world of parenting.

It's time to choose.

MegNH — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:50:22 GMT

A word from Coach Dave:

Megan here:

I checked out New England Runner's online race calendar. Here are the races I'd like to try. I won't feel like racing on April 26, or May 25...and will be running those races just for fun. So that leaves May 11 or June 5 for the big day. What do you advise?

Sat. April 26..........Out of Hibernation 5K Run, 5K, Portsmouth, NH., 9 a.m., Dan Stolworthy, (603) 430-7558, Email: outof hibernation@yahoo.com

Sat. May 3...................Miles for Mito, Manchester, NH 5K Cert. 10 a.m. Arms Park Flat, through back streets and along the river. Prizes for several age groups and gender. Marcel's Way, Cathy McDonald, (877) 412-4141, Email:info@marcelsway.org,

Sunday, May 11...........Moms on the Run 5K Run/Walk, Dover, NH 5K/5K walk 8:30 a.m. Dover High School Nicole Kurr, Email:info@momsontherun.org, Website:www.momsontherun.org

Sun, May 25.................11th Annual Runner's Alley/Redhook Brewery Memorial Day 5K Portsmouth, N.H. 5K/Kids Run Cert. 11 a.m./10:15 a.m. Redhook Brewery Flat loop around Pease International Tradeport. Great prizes, food, live music, kids fun run Runners Alley, Jeanine Sylvester, (603) 430-1212, Email:jeanine@runnersalley.com,

Thursday, 6/5/08...........Hollis Apple Country Fast 5K, Hollis, N.H., 5K Cert., 6:30 p.m. , Alpine Grove Function Facilities, Gently hilly loop through apple orchards and farmland of Hillis. Hollis-Brookline Rotary, George LeCours, (603) 465-9551, Email:georgelecours@charter.net,

Also, if there's a race you think i should try that I didn't notice, please let me know.

Week 13: Moving right along

MegNH — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:33:34 GMT

Today I felt like Rocky Balboa at the top of those steps. All be it, today's success was nothing compared to "real" athletes...who are born with talent and then train their a**es off. But, I finally feel like some day I might be one....an athlete, that is. Today, I finished a five mile training run in 49:56. I'm beginning to believe I may actually be able to do a 5k in under 25:00........someday.

Week 13 of my life changing training: 19.5 miles

Tues: 4 miles..in evening commute traffic as the sun was setting..lucky to be alive..won't be doing that again.

Wed: 6 miles on treadmill - Husband worked late. Missed the track workout.

Sat: 4.5 miles on treadmill - shooting for 5 miles, but the gym closed and they practically had to unplug the treadmill to get me off it.

Sun: 5 miles (49:56)

Next Week: Hmmm....let's see...how about 20 miles again?

Mon: Weights (I don't know why I keep writing weight workouts on my plan, I don't seem to squeeze them in.)

Tues: 5 miles

Wed: Track (5 miles)

Thurs: Rest

Fri: Weights

Sat: 5 miles

Sun: 5 miles

I wonder if I should add a fifth day of running or focus more on trying to get weight workouts in.

Here are a few photos of what I do all day.....besides training that is. I face multiple messes on a daily basis. But this one is a little more spectacular than usual. It only took him 5 minutes while I was on the phone. (Yes, my fault. I know.) Evidently he's got quite a pitching arm.

I probably won't forget to put the jam away ....for a long time.

A few words from my coach

MegNH — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:08:27 GMT

Here's Coach Dave Dunham:

Megan here:

I don't even know where to begin! LOL

First, did you realize there was a horse's a** over your shoulder? My guess is that you planned it that way. LOL

Second, Holy Injury Bat Man! I guess my poor little aching knee doesn't even compare.

Lastly, who the heck still uses that kind of printer paper?! You must work for the government.

Oh.....you betcha! I definitely got out for a run in this beautiful weather today.

Week 11

MegNH — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:16:03 GMT

How appropriate that on week 11 my pace has been at 11 min miles. Although, I think my 'conversation pace' has been slowly turning into 'faster than conversation pace.'

What is an appropriate average HR when running at a conversation pace?

Also, this week I've been sick (head/chest congestion). It hit me hardest on Tues and Wed. I think I'm now on the mend.

Week 11 .....16 miles

Mon: 1 mile & weights

Tues: off

Wed: 2 miles on treadmill

Thurs: 4+ miles on treadmill

Fri: off

Sat: 4 miles

Sun: 5 miles

Goal for Week 12.....18 miles

Mon: 2 miles & weights

Tues: off

Wed: 4 miles on treadmill

Thurs: 4 miles on treadmill

Fri: off

Sat: 4 miles

Sun: 4 miles

The weather is supposed to warm up this week. Bye-bye Frosty!!!! !DSCN0011.JPG!

Week 8

MegNH — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:49:25 GMT

Week 8: about 9 miles

Wed: Track Workout (3 miles)

Tues: missed my run

Sat: 2-3 mile trail run (see video)

Sun: 3.5 miles

Coming Week:

Mon: Spinning

Tues: rest

Wed: Track (3 miles?)

Thurs: treadmill (45 min)

Fri: rest

Sat: 4 miles

Sun: 4 miles

Track Workouts: question about resting

MegNH — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:53:11 GMT

Every Wed night when I'm running in circles (er, ovals rather) I ponder this question. I just always forget to ask. Here goes.....

Talking to a video camera is so much more awkward than one would initially think.

Coach Dave: Track Tip

MegNH — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:13:49 GMT

Coach Dave Dunham here:

Slogging it out on the treadmill

MegNH — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:27:47 GMT

Well, I pulled myself together......fed and bathed the kids.....threw on my swanky new running clothes i'd forgotten i bought (from the New Balance outlet in Lawrence last Saturday)......and headed to the gym to slog it out on the treadmill.

I ran harder than I should on a training run (which still isn't very fast) because I needed to work off some negative energy. It worked. I ran for an hour and I feel much better.

Thanks Melissa and Dave for....well...being who you are.

Megan

Coach Dunham offers his 2 cents.....

MegNH — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:40:30 GMT

Coach Dunham is always full of words of encouragement. Never a reprimand...even if deserved. He is a great coach for a person like me. Here are his latest words of encouragement (or should I say entertainment?)....

Coach D, you crack me up...

Track Workouts....a learning curve

MegNH — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:06:52 GMT

Hey Coach Dunham...just wanted to let you know that my track workout was a lot better this week. I waited until the fast runners were finished so I could use the inside lane. Last week I was running way out on the black area due to the number of faster runners.

Our workout today was 400, 800, 1200, 800, 400. I'm pretty happy with how I did. My times were right where they were supposed to be (except my 1200 was about 20sec too slow).

Also, I'm noticing on my regular runs that I'm getting a bit faster (or not as slow...LOL) with the same effort...and the hills are easier.

I was thinking about running again tomorrow (which would be the third running-day in a row)... on the treadmill. Is it too early for 3 days in a row?....I'm feeling kind of good and would like to give it a try.

Coach Dave

MegNH — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:07:07 GMT

This is Dave Dunham....legendary Mt. Washington runner. He is going to be MY coach! I'm not worthy. He'll also be coaching the group track workouts I'm signed up for. They start in January and are put on by Gate City Striders running club. Ok, now I'm starting to feel a little bit intimidated.

Here's Dave: