Run for My Lunch.... literally!!

This week I'v been running for my lunch... well I know I've been doing it for the past few months, but for some reason it stood out today.  It's almost a habit now - I have to run @ lunchtime!  It's a lot of fun and definitely is a good stress reliever.

So in a few days, I'll be competing in my first 10K run.  I'm really excited about that b/c lots of us from Team Challenge will be participating and it will be a good preview for the Miami Half Marathon!!! Miami is only a couple months away - I'm so happy with all the support I've received and for CCFA.  Thank you!!

I'll mention one specific run Jeremy & I completed this week... actually it was Monday!  I mentioned about always wanting to run in DC since I moved here a couple years... but I always wanted to run around the Tidal Basin.  (click "Tidal Basin" to see an ariel view of it... and you can see the Capitol Bldg, where we start our run every lunchtime, in the top center of pic.) 

I missed the Team Challenge run around the Tidal Basin at the beginning of our training bc my niece and sister visited me (remember I did lots of walking that week... and according to Nicole, that still counts!!), so when Jeremy headed for the Jefferson Memorial I was really happy.  We not only ran to the Jefferson Memorial, but passed it and then to the Lincoln Memorial, by the Washington Monument and down the Mall to the Capitol Building... back to our office bdg.  It was a great run!!  I've rode my bike around the Tidal Basin, but now I've ran there, too!! :-)  Jeremy suggested it was a 6 mile run according to what we've run before... but when I did a quick check on run.com website, it came to be about 5.5 miles.... so it was probably 6 miles since Jeremy says I'm not perfect recreating our running routes - I just follow him! :-)

I'm really looking forward to my 10k run... I'll definitely let you know how it goes... I'm not worried about my timing so much as just running the entire course and feeling good at the end.  I'll continue to update you on my running progress... and if you don't see a post, check on the right for my daily running.  

Thanks again for all your support!! Go DC Team Challenge!!! We're going to find a cure for colitis & crohn's!!!

Yesterday 3 and Today 4... Become my Virtual Running Partner!

Yesterday I got a surprise invite to run with a friend from the Team Challenge, Chris, who is an avid runner and she's running in the ING Half Marathon for CCFA, too. I thought it was funny and actually very impressive when she told me that this is first Half Marathon.... but she's ran a Marathon before!! So when she asked me to run last nite, I was really excited and even more excited that we have arranged a Happy Hour @ Crystal City Sports Pub on November 20.

So yesterday we ran a 3 mile loop through Arlington and on the Mt. Vernon Trail. The trail is where I ride my bike to work... this was the first time I ran on the trail and might give it another try this wkend. It really is a great place to run & bike or walk!

Today, I met Jeremy to run @ lunchtime and he and I agreed on running just to and around the Washington Monument.... but when we got to the backside of the Monument, Jeremy kept running along the path but toward the Lincoln Memorial. I asked where he was going... he said we're running to Lincoln. So today was a surprise 4 mile run. I felt much better than I thought I would having just ran last nite... but glad Jeremy was there to encourage me to run a little more today.

Thanks again for everyone's support and contributions to CCFA for me so I can run. I'm almost at the 50% mark, so getting more and more excited! I have to meet this $3,600 minimum goal to be able to run... so you're literally helping me cross the finish line when you donate!!

I'll do all the running... just become my virtual running partner by contributing to my run :-)
(Click Here to be my Virtual Running Partner!!)

Today I ran, while Jeremy was home!

So yesterday, Jeremy and I ran 4 miles to the Lincoln Memorial... it was a great run!  The weather was a bit chilly, but there was no wind so it wasn't cold.  Then today, I got dressed to go run and walked out of the office building.... but it was raining!  I told Jeremy I would run even though he said he wouldn't be there... so now what was I to do?

The gym downstairs!  I tried something different today, but kept in mind that I might be standing in line to vote after work today... so didn't want to push myself too hard today w/ exercise.  So I ran for 25 minutes on the elliptical machine AND also I rowed on the rowing machine for 15 minutes... 40 minutes of cardio!

And it gets even better... today I got home early around 3:30 and headed to the voting polls @ 4pm.  I had to go a few blocks in Old Town at the Fire House.  I was ready to stand in line a couple hours and brought a bottle of water with me.  I walked up to the side of the firehouse, but where was the long line?  There was no line... I walked right in!  I didn't even have to wait to watch a short demo with the election machine.  So I was done voting in about 5 minutes!!

I hope everyone had a great day today and voted. :-)

Everytime it changes, I feel better

Yesterday we ran 4 miles via the Lincoln Memorial run.... but we did it backwards!! It was fun to run on the opposite side of the Mall first and then to run the opposite away around the Lincoln Memorial. I believe doing that helps me mentally get stronger running... Jeremy and I talk about that lots when we're running. I often try to say positive things like "I feel great" or "It's so beautiful out," to try to distract myself from being tired while running.... some days it works better than others.

Yesterday, running opposite way around the Lincoln Memorial did the trick - it was a good 4 mile run yesterday! Also, having Wednesday (10/9) off with a rest, probably helped yesterday's run.

Have to wait & see what today's Lunchtime run is.... I think it's going up to near 80F today again... so it will be another warm day - but the sun is shinning :-)

So nothing less....

Jeremy commented that now we've run to the Lincoln Memorial twice... that's 4 miles each day so far... 8 miles total lol, and 3 more days left in the week!! He said we can't go less than that now. So looks like I'll be visiting Lincoln everyday.... maybe one day we'll do the "Rocky movie" and run up the steps @ the Memorial.... maybe next week, is what I keep telling him. :-)

Running @ lunchtime is great... still looking fwd to adding my bike riding back into the routine. And even better is the Greater DC Team Challenge meetup this weekend.... rumor is we're running around the Tidal Basin. That will be fun! My niece is visiting...maybe she'll join... she's only five, so maybe in a few years :-)

All the way to Lincoln!

Today, we did it!  We added a mile to our running route... click here to see the Lincoln Memorial Route.  I definitely felt the extra mile... but know it will only keep getting easier.  I think it hurt me since I went to bed late last nite, so trying to get to bed at a decent time tonite.

I'm also paying attention to my water intake in the morning before I go for the run.  When I'm well hydrated, I feel better running.... I know this is common sense along w/ the good nite's rest.

I asked Jeremy if we could run the 4 miles for the next couple weeks and then try out the 5 mile.  I believe he mentioned something about us gradually moving to  miles while adding bits each time or maybe he said something about working on my pace!  :-)

I'm really enjoying running @ lunchtime and maybe next week I'll introduce my bike riding into the routine again.  Its just that I'm working a crazy schedule at work lately because it's the end of the FiscalYear (FY08).  Btw, Happy end of FY08!  Tomorrow is the last day - Sept 30!