Bike Trail Times September 2, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 2 commentsBefore summer started, they said it was going to be a hot one. But it was actually pretty mild. Woudn’t you know, now that September is here, it’s blazing. Over a hundred this past week. Yesterday and today, 106+. The forecast for today said it could get to 112. Yikes. I’ve been drinking water like it’s going out of style. It wouldn’t be so bad if there wasn’t some mugginess to it. There was even lightning on Thursday’s run but I didn’t hear any thunder so I thought it was safe.
This week’s workouts -
Mon, Wed, Fri- Yoga/Pilates
Tue - 30 min run
Thu - 45 min run
Sat - 30 min run w/a 60 min ride after
Sun - 45 min run w/ a 60 min ride after
Bike to work - Mon-Fri
Both weekend rides and all runs on the new bike trail. It has almost the same feel as the river ride. Except for the underpasses. Oh yeah, and no river. Other than that, it’s pretty nice. These photos are from the “end”. Which is just the end of the (mostly) completed part.
Running trail is starting on the right (packed dirt). The bike path is on the left (paved). It’s kind of nice that the runners & cyclists don’t have to worry about each other.
The view looking south.
The old side.
And the view looking north. Bummer about the new houses, huh? Spoiling the view. Sigh.
Patience August 26, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 7 commentsNo aches and pains to speak of. Increases are working well for me. I feel like I could make a big jump but I’m not going to. Was checking on Kylie & Mike & BBB & the others through out the day. Wish I was there because Ironmanlive really sucks. But also, I wish I was there crossing the line.
This week’s workouts - seem so piddly…
Mon, Wed, Sat - Yoga/Pilates
Tue - 30 min run
Thu - 35 min run
Sat - 30 min run
Sun - 43 min run w/ a 50 min ride after - reverse brick
Bike to work - Mon-Fri
Must have patience with myself. I’ll get there.
Summer Days August 19, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 2 comments
But of course, I’m not lazying about. And the best part is that I don’t want to. 
Last week was pretty good. All planned workouts in, 10% increase on the previous week with the running.
Mon, Wed, Sat - Yoga/Pilates
Tue - 30 min run
Thu - 30 min run
Sat - 30 min run
Sun - 35 min run
Bike to work - Mon-Fri
This week I want to add a bike on the weekend.
The Path to Eugene, Oregon? August 12, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 4 commentsAnyone ever been to Eugene, Oregon?
This week was pretty good. I successfully hit all work outs as planned:
Yoga/Pilates - Mon, Wed, Sat
Running - Tues (25min), Thu (30min, Sat (25 min), Sun (35 min)
Bike to work - Monday-Friday
I’m starting to feel a little lighter so I might have lost a tiny bit of weight or at least begun to tone up. Which I can feel in my clothes. Haven’t confirmed with the scale because it’s currently lifeless and I have no urge to resucitate it yet. I should.
So running is going great. Everything feels good, better than I expected. So much so that I’m even revisiting a goal that’s been swirling in the back of my head for a while - a marathon before I turn 40. I know what you’re thinking…”what happened to her just enjoying running?”. I’ve asked myself the same question. I don’t know why 40 is the magic number for me. I know there will be many running years after that. I think I picked 40 because it was close (WAY too close now, gasp!). It helps me to have finite goal to reach and just saying I’m going to run a marathon leaves it open to when and that makes it more vague? Don’t you think?
I’ve been looking at marathons close to my birthday next year. To sort of make it a birthday present trip/marathon. I want it to be one some place far away, yet not too far. Since I may be going on a cruise for my birthday too. Anyway, I saw there there is one in Eugene the first weekend in May. Oregon has always been high on my list of places to visit and I like that Eugene is a bike town. It would be a bonus to do some photography exploring around there.
It’s not definite yet, of course. I’ll have to see how the running goes as I continue to increase but I think it’s enough away that I’ll be able to work up to it slowly. Slow being the key word right now. 
P.S. This is the bike path/trail I’ve been running on. Before and during construction. Which is still ongoing. It’s supposed to go for almost 30 miles, if I remember correctly. Most sections will have a seperate bike (paved) and trail (dirt) paths which is nice.
I’ll miss the untouched, naturalness it used to have.
This is the section right above where I live. I’m hoping they’ll add the dirt trail to it still.
One block over and the bike path splits. You can see the dirt trail on the right edge.
It’s not exactly open yet, but it’s getting tons of use.
Life is Good August 5, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 7 commentsI hit all planned running and yoga/pilates workouts again this week, although I did move a yoga/pilates work out to Saturday. Yeah for me.
Yoga/Pilates - Mon, Wed, & Sat
Running - Tues 25min, Thu 25min, Sat 25 min, Sun 30 min.
The legs are doing great. I thought the Yoga/Pilates would bother them but I think it’s helping. The running is also going great and each run feels better than the one before it. I’ve been running in the mornings when it’s cool. It’s been a little muggy but it makes for dramatic skies.
I need to really work on drinking more water this week. Plan for this week is the same as last week with another 10% increase. Wish me luck.
Another Good Week July 29, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 9 commentsThis was a pretty good week. I hit all planned runs and added in a Yoga/Pilates work out. My legs feel great, better than they have in a while. My core is sore today from the Yoga/Pilates. I’ll take that kind of sore any day. I really am surprised at how well my knees are feeling and I am so happy about that. I need to get another pair of shoes though.
This week’s runs: Tue-20min, Thu-25min, Sat-22min, Sun-30min. All as planned with a 10% increase from last week. Slow going but starting to feel a little better with them.
Part of the goodness is that I’ve really been trying to eat better everyday. There were a couple of slips but I’ve added more fruit into my diet and cut out some of the bad stuff (like cookies and chocolate). I saw some cherries at the store yesterday and took some home. Oh, they were delicious.
This week’s schedule
Bike Commute M-F
Run - Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
Yoga/Pilates - Mon, Wed, Fri
Waddling On July 22, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 8 commentsIf you can’t fly, then waddle. Sigh. The good news is that I hit all planned runs this week and increased 10% over last week. AND NO WALKING. That’s right, I ran the entire time. To be honest, none of them were long. I probably could have run longer but I would rather start off cautiously and see how it goes than overdo it. Runs this week:
Wed - 20 min, Thu - 23 min after the ride home, Sat - 20 min, Sun - 25 min
Plus 5 minute warm ups and cool downs. It seems like a such a small amount of time. No problem cardio wise. I know I can run longer, just don’t want to push the legs. Probably being overly cautious?
I feel so slow. Like a duck on land. Ducks are so quacky.
One & Two & Three & Four July 15, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General , 5 commentsSuccess! I did all my planned runs this week! Yesterday, I went for a run/walk as planned. Today, instead of doing the run walk thing, I ran the whole thing. I wasn’t tired but my calf did get a little tight.
Legs feel pretty good this afternoon. Actually, they feel better than they have in a while. I was really worried that my knees would throw a fit but so far so good.
I have been trying to eat better lately but tonight I am having a single serving cup of Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough. It’s National Ice Cream Day. I have to. I’m pretty sure it has recuperative benefits too.
Morgan & Maddie enjoying an ice cream.
Second Run July 13, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General, Pictures , 2 commentsYesterday, I did my second run/walk of the week. Still nothing spectacular except for the fact that I went at all. I was supposed to go in the morning but didn’t get up in time so I ran after work. It was about 80 degrees so not bad. I was tired and almost bailed. But I didn’t. So I’m happy with that at least.
My legs were sore after the run on Tuesday. The knees too. They’ll have to get used to running again which is the part I was dreading. But they feel pretty good today. Part of the reason is that I stretched last night and worked on my ITB for a while. It was really, really tight.
Probably the biggest reason I haven’t been running or swimming is photography. I have been spending most of my time with my cameras and my laptop. The same thing inside me that made me go for an Ironman and train, train, train, is the same thing that drives my photography. A bit of the obsessive. Ok, a lot. Most days I was up til late into the night working on photo stuff. The lack of sleep has made me so tired and I’ve been dragging thru the days. This month I’ve made a concerted effort to get to bed by 10. The goal is between 9 and 9:30. A couple of weeks ago I was talking to my sister and she asked what I was doing. When I told her I was working on my photos, she said “what else is new”. That made me realize that I need to put some balance back into my life and make room for the other things I like. Sound familiar? It’s all about balance. I have to battle the part of me that says I won’t be a success unless I give what I’m doing 110%. Will I ever learn to live a balanced life?
Anyway, the plan is to run/walk tomorrow and Sunday. Wish me luck!
As an incentive… I have to get into the best shape possible because I am going to have all 3 munchkins to take care of by myself for a week in October while the girls are on fall break! That’s gonna be an endurance test for me!
My nieces and nephew…
Max is growing up so fast!
Bikes, Cars, and Running July 11, 2007
Posted by vollenda in : General, Pictures, Bike Commuting , 6 comments
But not necessarily mine. These are a few of the photos I’ve taken in the past month. And here’s a quick update…
First, bikes - my birthday present to myself has been great. It’s a fun, zippy ride. Not as fast as a roadbike but I’ve been conciously slowing down on my bike commutes to enjoy the scenery. It means I’m less stressed about the crazy drivers around here too.
My mom bought a new car a couple of weeks ago. She offered me her old one…free. I told her I wasn’t ready for a car yet. I thought it would be too much temptation to have it sitting in my garage. I told her next May I might think about getting one. I’m not sure. It would be nice to have a car to get places like races or the beach with all my gear and not have to stick to local races. But cars just seem like too much trouble!
Last, but not least. I finally started running again. Well, yesterday was my first run in 5 months I think. More of a run/walk really. And tomorrow morning will be my second. Nothing spectacular. They are putting in a bike/running path by my apartment but it’s not finished yet. I can’t wait.
No plans for racing this year…so far. And I’m still not swimming again. Sigh. Baby steps, right? I will be back someday.