Updated Directory

This past week/weekend have been crazy busy so I have not had a lot of time to run, but hopefully that will change this week. My running stop watch stopped working on Saturday, so I plan to buy a new one this week. I also have to buy a new pair of running sun glasses, because mine cracked a few weeks ago (during one of my runs on an extremely cold day). Other than that, all is going well and I will hopefully have a more exciting post next weekend (and hopefully some pics. too!)

Please don't forget to check out the Running Blog Family directory. It was just updated. (Thank you Mark!)

Monday - None
Tuesday - 26.43 minutes
Wednesday - 30 minutes
Thursday - 4 miles on the 'mill
Friday - None
Saturday - 27 minutes
Sunday - None

Back to 4th Grade

This past week I started student teaching in a fourth grade classroom (for the next 14 weeks). I leave my house at 7:30 and arrive home by 5:00, except for the two days when I have night classes at the university. This means I will not have a lot of time for blogging (Boo!) But, I will do my best to catch up on the weekends. I love being with the fourth graders and every day I feel more confident that teaching is one of the greatest and most rewarding professions.

Good luck with your training as you continue to run through the cold, bitter winter. Spring is almost on its way!

Sunday - 50 minutes (exercise video)
Monday - none
Tuesday - 26.43 minutes

no water = no running

Wednesay = no running

Thursday = 22 minutes

Friday = I really wanted to run but I could not find the time. I had an exam in the evening so I spent the entire day studying.

Saturday =(the day of the blizzard) I planned to go for a "long" run because my miles were very low this week. Unfortunately, the water pipes froze so I have been without water since 8 o'clock this morning. I called the maintenance man and he said, "I'll take care of it". It is 10 o'clock now and I am still without water! Without water for a shower I quickly decided that I would not go for a run. I am hopeful tomorrow will be a better day. I plan to go for a run and shovel out my car, which will be a workout in itself.

Brrrr...It's cold out there!

Tuesday
I work up early this morning and headed to the thermometer. It said 6 degrees (F) and the wind was blowing, so I quickly turned around and went back to bed. Maybe tomorrow will be a little warmer….at least in the double digits so I won't get frost bite. :)

Monday
Sundays run went so well I thought I was ready to attempt my first 10K since the summer. I felt good for the first three miles but after that I felt tiered and slow. The first 5 miles were mostly downhill or flat, but the last mile was straight uphill. I wanted to stop to walk when I reached the 5 mile marker, but I forced myself to keep going—although I probably would have been faster if I just power-walked up the hill. I finished in an hour and four minutes. It was discouraging to see that time, knowing that last May I ran the same route in 53 minutes…but at least I finished. The only way to improve is to keep running. So onward I go!

Why did you start?

A Runner's World survey found that most female subscribers originally took up running to lose weight. We all started running for various reasons, but somehow we have all continued on a similar running adventure. We continue to run because we are passionate about it. We enjoy the simplicity of a cool, morning run in the fog. We crave the challenge of a road race. We feel energized returning home after a long run. We release stress. We gain confidence. We connect with nature. We find joy in slipping on our sneakers and heading out the door.

I started running as a freshman in high school when I joined the cross country team. I only joined because wanted something to add to my high school transcript. Even though I didn't start running for a "good" reason, I am extremely thankfully for the many running adventures I have had since then.
Why did you start running?

Friday - 24.31 minutes
Saturday - none
Sunday - 44 minutes

Off with the layers

I am extremely excited for tomorrows expected weather (50 F)! It has been so cold the past two weeks the trails have remained snow covered. Perhaps tomorrow will be the first day I will be able to see the forest floor again. I am going to attempt a long run and see how it goes and best of all....I won't have to wear three layers of clothes. So far, all is going well and I am really enjoying being back in my sneakers. Happy Running RBF!
~ Don't forget to check out Jeff's post. He has a great idea! ~

Tuesday - 45.37 minutes
Wednesday - None
Thursday - 26.28 minutes

Postcard Perfect

Another 27 minutes today. The first mile was difficult because I was on a snow covered trail in the woods. The snow significantly slowed me down, but it was beautiful. It felt like I was running through a postcard perfect picture of Vermont in the winter. The ice was melting off the tree branches overhead and the snow was quietly crunching beneath my sneakers. What a great day for a run!

Back to the trails...

Did I really think I could go several months without running? :) This past week I decided to get outside and start moving again, specifically for two main reasons; first- I ate my weight in wonderfully delicious holiday treats over the holidays and two- I simply missed running.

Although I had been dreaming about how wonderful it would be to be out on the trails again, my imagination had me fooled. I can barely run two minutes before I am completely out of breath and I feel like I am the rusty tin man from the Wizard of Oz. My running form from several months ago has been replaced by an awkwardness in my form. Yet I must admit...despite the complaints, it is great to be outside again!!

My new plan is run a few days a week until the end of January (as long is the weather is above freezing) and then I will re-asses my goals when the semester begins.

I hope you have all stayed safe and warm, and enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with your families. Happy Trails in 2005 RBF!

Monday - 28 minutes (total miles = I am to ashamed to admit.)
Tuesday - 28 minutes
Wednesday - 28 minutes
Thursday - below freezing/no running
Friday - I played in the snow for over an hour with the kids I was baby sitting for. That has to count for something right?
Saturday - below freezing/no running
Sunday - 27 minutes

Good Luck to Michelle who is running the Disney Marathon today!!!