Thursday test run....and breathing FUN!

Thursday-I woke up tired, sore and kinda ready to test drive my new skort!
I slept like crap Wednesday night. I was up at midnight sneezing! I think I might have a cold, because my allergy medication did no good!
I put on my skort and Garmin and headed out the door en route to the park. I decided not to even look at my Garmin. I hit the 1 mile mark and my Garmin chimed. I topped running to have a look at my mile split. 7:52. What, the what?!??! I had no vocal cord issue whatsoever. I am beginning to wonder if the reason for my anxiety/vocal cord issue is because I am trying soooo hard NOT TO CARE about my pace. Hmmmm. I was smiling so big and started to cry laugh that I almost started to hyperventilate--seriously. I was (and still am) over-joyed! I turned around and ran back (not looking at my Garmin) and ran my second mile in 7:53. Dang. No issues again. I was so happy that I went and grabbed the dog and we went for a half mile run/walk/chase/sniff.
I just need to have a plan for tomorrow. My big 10k day. I would love to run well. I wold love to not have to use my breathing techniques. I would love to NOT look at my Garmin for 6.1 miles. Is that realistic for me?? I am not sure. Only tomorrow will tell.
I plan on wearing my running skort while I race too. I will give a full report/review upon my return!
This weekend's race will be tons of fun. A lot of RunGr. Club members are either doing the full marathon, half or the 10k. There are several going for a Boston Qualifying time. I can't wait to cheer them on!!

GPSless no more--and other things....

Sorry I did not post up yesterday. I must have been too busy...using my new Garmin!! Woohoo!!

I got it yesterday! Charged her ( she's grey/pink accents) up and went for a 2 mile run before teaching my class! Oh and it was a 8:09 minute pace too. I know this, because I have a GPS!! Yahoo!

So anyway....I taught my class after the short run!

In other news...I finally tracked down the doctor about my vocal Cord hoopla. My appointment is on May 20th...... great. That's only 12 days after the Big Show. What the heck?!! Now I am torn. Do I run this race for the fun of it or try to make a goal? I have never run a race strictly for fun-EVER! haha...but really- I don't think I can. I might try it this time though. I forgot to mention that during my run I had NO issues at all. They say this disorder can be brought on by stress--maybe I was stressed that I was GPSless for so long?!??!?!

Friday~ I lifted weights today. It was kind of a blah session for me. I am not sure why.

Shoulders and hamstrings:

3x12

Shoulder press

Dead lifts

Ball Ham curls
Front raises

This is all!

But I think I worked these muscle groups plenty in my class last night--lots o' lunges and upright rows etc.

Spin class...what a different experience with my heart rate monitor! I know I work hard, but I work harder with instant feedback. Whew! I have missed you Heart rate monitor- so glad you are back!

On the plan for Saturday...12 mile run in the hilliest place we run. I am to run the first 6 miles easy and the last 6 at race pace..what is my race pace anyway?!?! Oh boy.

Boston Marathon on my mind.......

The Boston Marathon that I will not be running on the 19th of this month has been on my mind lately. I am completely over the fact that I will not be there. Really, I am! I have been for a long time now. There are quite a few people from my running club that will be there and I am totally excited for them. I am probably more bummed that I can't make the trip to root them on, more than the fact that I won't be running the actual race! (2011 baby!)

One good thing about not running the race is that I (most likely) have asthma( if you have not heard!). It's not completely under control yet. I can only imagine what some of my 16+ training miles would have felt like these past months. Probably not so good!

Another good thing is that I am not really a fan of running marathons so my longest run this year will be 16 miles--which I already did!

The one thing I am most excited about is the possibility ( oh I hope it all works out!!!!) of getting a new GPS that is debuting at the Boston Marathon. I have connections. Ha. It's the Garmin Forerunner110. You can't even buy it yet. I had my heart set on the Garmin Forerunner 405cx for over a year now and was actually going to get it very,very soon ( taxes were finally done on Saturday!) But things have changed. I even surprised myself with the change of mind. The 110 model is smaller...it won't be a big computer on my wrist! It has less functions then the 405cx, but it has all I need and want really. GPS for running and the heart rate monitor for spinning ( and running and elliptical and living--I love HRMs!). And it's over $100 cheaper! I hope my friend that is buying it for me is able to get it; I have a feeling it will be a hot commodity-being that nobody else can get it until May(suckas!) I hope to get the grey and pink one too. My last GPS was basic black so it's time to add some color! So please...say a little prayer at night that I get this! (only half joking here.)

Saturday Long Run-Rocked It!

I am back! I think. It was frigid today. Freezing cold, windy, windchill of 6 or something stupid like that. This early in the season I might have skipped out or at least been really pissed off about it. Not this morning with my new improved attitude!! I was ready to go. Partly because I have decided to just suck it up and work and partly because I was excited to test out my new GPS Garmin!!

Another long story short. I am taking it back to the store. So sad about this. It has soooo many positives. But the biggest negative trumps all the positives. So sad. I NEED the real GPS capabilities. I calibrated it again for almost 3 miles. After running less than a half mile it was already "off" by over .1 of a mile. Ugh. That is a lot for a non-recreational runner I think ( that would be me).

I did not let that ruin my run though. I was still able to see my pace and faux mileage. There was even a pacer dude on my watch. I was over 5 minutes ahead of him too. It was motivating to see that even though it was not a real person! Call me crazy.

Here are my splits for 10 miles: http://connect.garmin.com/splits/24056231

My avg. was 8:47 a mile I think. That is NOT normal for this girl on her "easy" long run days. It won't happen a lot ( I save it for actual racing! haha), but it sure felt great today.

I even stretched because my carpool buddy is training for a spring marathon and ran 14 miles today, so I had the time. It was MUCH needed. I think I am going to go and stretch some more!

Gadget Wish List- Garmin 405cx!

What is the best GPS ( for running/fitness) on the market? I think I found one that will fit my needs the best. I have been reading the reviews for a particular GPS for quite sometime now. Most of the reviews are excellent or good. The Garmin 405CX with HR Monitor is probably the coolest GPS for running and fitness that I have seen. I love it because it's just one piece ( well the HR monitor would be 2 pieces). I don't have to wear anything on my shoe or an armband in order for it to work. It also has a HR Rate monitor which I need now. Mine has been broken for at least a year or more now. I think I last used it while pregnant with Miles. Anyway, the Garmin 405cx:

Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405CX continuously records your time, distance, pace, calories burned and heart rate.

And advanced training features will challenge you to step up your pace race against Forerunner's Virtual Partner Forerunner

405CX comes with a flexible, wireless heart rate monitor to help you make the most out of your training.

With Forerunner 405CX, you can share your locations, advanced workouts and courses wirelessly with other Forerunner 405 users.

Once you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+ wireless technology automatically So you can see why I would want this!! It's so cool. My old GPS is about 5 years old now and it shows. It works when it wants to which is not convenient for me on my training runs. Actually, it's very annoying! It just shuts off when it feels like it. Not good. These GPS for running are expensive, but worth it since I would never take it off-ever!