Could NOT get to sleep last night :( so when my alarm went off at 5:30, I struggled to wake up. Changed into my running clothes and still was super groggy so I decided to go back to bed. Unfortunately, I could not go back to sleep but while I tossed and turned, I came up with an idea to split my 10 mile run today and do a 6-7 mile route in the morning and remaining 3-4 miles this afternoon.

6.5 Mile Run @ 01:05:00

Got in my 2nd run on the treadmill at work.

3 Mile Run @ 00:28:00

This morning I was able to sleep until the alarm went off at 4:40 and felt pretty strong during swim practice. We had a set of 3x300's (whew) and I was able to keep up with the big kids!

2100 Swim Practice @ 00:50:00

Had to get out early this time because of an early AM appointment that I had to catch an early bus for. Can't WAIT to get in a run after work - it is BEAUTIFUL out there!!!

Because I had my car, I decided to drive to the Howe Street stairs for my workout. Started by parking at the top and running the mile loop to the bottom. Did stairs for 20 minutes or including a bit of a ladder workout - 1 up, 1 down, 2 up, 2 down etc. Finished by reversing the 1 mile loop back to the car. I had lots of company on the stairs :)

Stair Workout @ 00:45:00

Was wide awake this morning at 4:30 so getting up for swim practice was not at all difficult. Today was IM day and it while it felt really good to swim, I was feeling a bit of jet lag and ended up getting out about 10 minutes early.

2200 Swim Practice @ 00:50:00

Got in another treadmill run in the little fitness center before we
headed out for lunch and to the airport. I set it at random and kept
the pace at 8:35 even though I don't think it was actually that fast.
I was a bit too comfortable running :)

7 mile run @ 01:00:00

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Got in a good longer run today from the hotel room. It was colder than
I packed for and I only had a short sleeve shirt and shorts.
Fortunately it was sunny and I got to run uphill the first few miles
so I was able to warm up a little. I found a great route that even
included some trails!

It's been a wonderful visit and I have had a great time getting to
know my sister and nieces. Of course spending time with Suna is always
fun too :)

12 mile run @ 02:00:00

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Yesterday was a travel day so I didn't get in a workout. This morning
I awoke to HAIL (for goodness sake) so after waiting around a bit, I
finally decided to try out the dinky fitness room at our hotel. The
treadmill was decent enough and I did the pre-programmed hill workout.
Then did some free weights and core.

5 mile Treadmill Hill Workout @ 00:50:00
Upper strength @ 00:15:00
Core @ 00:10:00

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I had an 8 mile run on my schedule but managed to turn it into a very slow 9.5 miles. Ran from home through Ravenna Park (pitch black!) and on the trail towards Gasworks. On that trail, I was reminded why I LOVE this city so much. It was a beautiful moment - running in the crisp darkness watching the city wake up. Then I headed up Stone Way and finally home.

9.5 Mile Run @ 01:40:00

I leave for San Antonio early tomorrow morning and the next four days will be about squeezing in whatever workout whenever I can...

So there's a new(er) guy in the lane who is just too flipping fast. He also does not believe in taking too many breaks either so it turns out to be one big unpleasant chase for me. A couple of people in the lane throw on buoys, fins, paddles - whatever it takes to keep up that's not my style. I guess I am just old school.

After the first set of 75's (getting lapped...) I moved down a lane and kept it simple. Still got in a good workout.

2500 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

Got in a lift at the gym at the end of my work day. It has been (egad) weeks since I have lifted so I am going to pay for this tomorrow.

Upper Strength @ 00:10:00
Lower Strength @ 00:20:00
Core @ 00:10:00

I have been sleeping terribly lately and last night was no exception. Apparently I set my alarm incorrectly because it did not go off and I was able to sleep in until about 6:30. Was not feeling terribly inspired to run but did a tempo run on the treadmill while listening to my audio book. I then changed into workout clothing when I got home with the intention of going to the gym but here I still am, in Lycra/Spandex...blogging and watching "The Biggest Loser". Hmmmm....

4.25 Mile Tempo Run (3 miles at 8:34 pace) @ 00:40:00

Swim practice was good because I could actually keep up with my lane mates today!

2600 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

I have been unable to get myself to blog regularly but I have been keeping up with my training. Last week, I ran the Lord Hill 50k in Snohomish and had a good time running through the beautiful 3 loop course. I did the first 2 10 mile loops in exactly 2 hours each but the last loop took me 2 hours and 45 minutes. They added an extra loop of 1.07 miles and apparently it took me 45 minutes to do that :(

It did take me longer to recover than I hoped it would and I ended up going home sick and taking a sick day at work. I did not feel better until Thursday so it has been a light training week.

Today I planned to run 12 miles but ended up doing only 10 because toe (sans toenail as of Saturday) was really beginning to hurt. It was important to me to get in a run, and soak up as much sunshine as I could.

10ish Mile Run @ 01:36:00

Decided to let my body decide when I was ready to wake up. I ended up sleeping until 7 and missed swim practice. Spent the morning working on homework promising myself a bike ride in the sun once I finished.

After cleaning the chain, and pumping up the tires that were practically flat from months of neglect, I hopped on the bike and went for a spin. Had a semi-route in mind and managed to meander along the edge of both Lake Washington and Lake Union, and even got a little lost on the top of Queen Ann.

26.4 Mile Ride @ 02:06:00

There was some drama today in our swim lane so the workout had some unintentional extra rests. Unrelated to the drama, I do wonder if I am getting slower or if my lane is getting faster...

2500 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

Got in a WONDERFUL speed run in the sun during my lunch break! Kept a sub 8 min mile pace :)

4.25 Mile Run @ 00:30:00

Last week, I cashed in my Christmas present. A session with Jerome. OH. MY. The workout was/is great but it made me whimper pretty quickly. In my defense, I was having a tough time recovering from the Orcas Island 50k.

However, this week finds me much better rested and finally running at an average pace for me. Got in my medium long run today and Jerome's Plyometric workout in the evening even though doing those moves at the Northgate Gym made me feel like a complete self-conscious dork.

9 Mile Run @ 01:43:00

Strength @ 00:45:00

Today was the Orcas Island 50k and it could not have been a more beautiful day for it!  Knowing I was not going into it as trained as I should have been (missed my 4th training run the last few weeks), a bit stressed from school/work and a few pounds heavier, I committed to just running MY race and enjoying the experience.

And what a feast for the soul! Ruth scored us an amazing suite with a mini-kitchen, a fireplace and view of the water. From BED.  The run itself was simultaneously cruel and stunningly generous and I experienced the usual highs and lows that come along with it. Couple lessons for next time - get in FRONT of nutrition and really practice downhills.  Looking forward to future runs and adventures. Quick shout out to Barbara Rose who had a great fast run!

31 Mile Run @ 07:45:00 ? 

Swimming only - kept it easy.

2500 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

Got in a run this morning and managed to wipe out again on the sidewalk near Greenlake.  Ruth mentioned that she was a little concerned about sending me up a mountain this weekend if I trip on a flat sidewalk!

7ish Mile Run @ 01:06:00

Then got in a very quick lift before catching the last bus home.

Core @ 00:10:00

Weights @ 00:20:00

Ouch. Swam with the fast people today but managed to hang in there except for only one 50 (pull).

2800 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

Had to get to work early so only got in an hour of Yoga.

Yoga Class @ 01:00:00

Then went for a 4 mile fartlek run during lunch - sprinted between fire hydrants.

4 Mile Run @ 00:35:00

Because I had a short long run on Sunday, I was able to get up for swimming!

2500 Swim Practice @ 01:00:00

Then crammed in a very quick lift in order to catch the last bus home.

Weights @ 00:20:00
Core @ 00:10:00