New bike path

Well, since I've been living in Geneva, I have been running on the Fox River Trail that goes between Elgin and Aurora. Personally, I only run from St. Charles (or a little north) to Batavia and past it, once to N. Aurora. But I've always driven down to the parking lot in Geneva and then start my run. Unfortunately, I get to Luke's place (can't quite comfortably call it home/my place yet) 15 minutes before 5pm. by the time I'm ready to go, it's 5pm, rush hour traffic. And it's still rush hour at 6pm when I'm done running.

When we first started dating, Luke told me that he rides his bike to work cutting through neighbourhoods and then onto the Fox River Trail for a little bit. I told him when we were talking about moving in that he'll have to show me how he goes about getting down there to the trail. Well, on our bike ride Monday night, he finally did.

So tonight, when I went on my run, I got to leave from the parking lot. Which is great because that's what I enjoy doing on my runs in DeKalb. I got to leave straight from my apartment without having to drive anywhere.

It's 2 miles exactly from his parking lot to the bridge that goes across the Fox River. And I was going to do just that and go back to make it a 4 mile run. But I had some frustrations I needed to pound out (thus my 8:41 min first mile) so I decided to just keep going and run on the trail for a little bit and find the 3.11 mile marker and that I did. At a good spot too, right before a bridge. And so then I turned around and came back.

Now the roads that I ran on to get to the trail are not flat unfortunately. So going to the trail was good since it was downhill and I was going so fast. But the run back, not so much. It's all uphill from the river. It'll be interesting to see how my body reacts. When I was at the beginning of my marathon training and doing a lot of those runs at Luke's parents, my body got used to the hills a lot faster than I thought I would and I had some pretty good quick runs up there. So it might be good thing after all.

But at the same time I also have to remember that this is the summertime and I will have some bad runs (like today) where my times are slow, slower than I would like or expect. You'll see what I mean below.

Now the thing that was sucky about tonight is that I am sharing an apartment with someone now. When I leave my apartment for a run around my neighbourhood, I leave my door unlocked so I don't have to carry any keys with me. I'll be gone for an hour max usually. So that's what I did tonight. Luke wasn't home from work yet. But when I arrived at home, I found the door was locked. I knocked. Unfortunately, I realised Luke had gone to the gym. He ran there and I wasn't sure of the path he takes so I couldn't go there because I was afraid I would miss him if he was on the way back. So I waited and waited and waited. Ended up waiting for 45 minutes, arriving at 7p. All the while I had plans to meet up with someone between 6:30p and 7p in Geneva. And my phone was inside. I thought Luke would know to leave it unlocked since he came home to it unlocked but alas, can't trust him to remember that now. I hate carrying keys or anything with me, if I don't have a pocket for it, but I guess I'll have to from now on.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 712 ft Location: Geneva, IL Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 06/16/10 Up/Downhill: [+285/-285] Time: 05:16 PM Difficulty: 2.6 / 5.0 Performance Distance: 6.20 miles Time: 0:59:16 Speed: 6.3 mph Pace: 9' 34 /mi Calories: 494 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 8' 41 -0' 53 6.9 +0.6 -16 ft 2 8' 56 -0' 38 6.7 +0.4 -85 ft 3 9' 34 +0' 00 6.3 -0.0 +13 ft 4 9' 41 +0' 07 6.2 -0.1 -10 ft 5 10' 19 +0' 45 5.8 -0.5 +66 ft 6 10' 21 +0' 47 5.8 -0.5 +23 ft end 10' 00 +0' 26 6.0 -0.3 +6 ft Versus average of 9' 34 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: Fox River Trail, Geneva

20 mile run

I suppose I should talk about this run, just for accountability sake.

I ran 20 miles on Saturday. I ran it over on the Fox River Trail for a change of pace, plus, I wouldn't be on sand & limestone.

I got started around 9a, even though I was awake at 6. But when I saw that it felt like 31 degrees, I decided I was not going out in that. Figured that when the 9am hour said 45, I'll be good to go. That was mistake #1. Also wore a long-sleeved shirt, thinking that I was going to be a bit chilly. I even started the run with pants on. Mistake #2.

Ate around 7:45a but all I had was a banana & a bowl of cereal. That was mistake #3. I did bring some coconut water (peach mango) and 2 bottles of water with me and my PowerBar Gel Blasts.

6 miles north on a new path made the mileage go by kinda slow since I didn't know when the next mile was going to hit. At one point, I even was running on a road (I guess the trail & road merged) and I got yelled at by someone since I was running on the left side of the road, facing traffic (heading north). Needless to say, I turned around then.

I got back to my car and dropped off my pants and thought for a second of only doing 16 or so since it was warm and I'll do my 20 next weekend and then it won't be that long (5 weeks) between my 20 and my marathon. But I decided to forge ahead. Mistake #4.

By that time, it was near 11am and quite warm out. I knew I didn't have my short sleeve shirt with me in the car so I left on my long-sleeve but by this time I had pulled up the sleeves to my elbows. And I was getting warm. My socks were also causing me some discomfort and I kept checking on them and adjusting them.

I knew that I had to go to mile 16 and then turn around. At mile 15.5, I reached a break-off point and stopped for quite a bit. by this time I ran out of water in my 2 bottles and only had a little left of the coconut water but I couldn't bring myself to drink it warm.

I finally relented to the warmth and took off my long-sleeved shirt, tied it around my waist and put my 4 water bottle belt around that so I wouldn't get chafing. So for the other few miles, I ran in just a sports bra. Classy.

There was a bottle in the middle of the path. I kicked it. It had water in it. I debated for a split second if I wanted to pick it up. I did. Poured it over my head, down my back and then poured it into my mouth. Yes, I did.

Couldn't just leave an empty plastic bottle so I carried it around to the next garbage place where I recycled it but noticed that the water fountain was still covered. I was devasted. Bathroom didn't even have a sink either.

So I kept going on. Then I found it. My saviour. I screamed in joy when I saw that the next fountain was uncovered. I nearly started crying. No seriously. I did. And when I hit that button and water came out of it's spout, I was ecstatic more than I can describe. I drank so much, I filled up my water bottles and I dumped water on my arms, neck, head, face. Unfortunately, I had 2 miles left.

I finished. Disappointment washed over me when I looked at my watch. Oh well. I started walking, a lot to calm the cramps in my calves. I was in so much pain. I didn't want to get in my car and drive. I blame the warm weather and also, I had a really crappy personal week so that can be to blame as well.

But when I did, I was able to get in a cold water bath and my legs felt so much better after I got out of it. I did start having problems with my left knee though. Well, technically I have had difficulties with it for a few weeks now. I tried jogging to my car in a parking lot and it was just not happening.

So I iced all day on Sunday. And on Monday. And today. I haven't ran since Saturday. I got 16 miles on Saturday. Should be interesting. I'm trying to see if it could be a tear or ligament injury. I have knee/leg movements to try out from the about.com pages.

I haven't done any weight lifting in over a week now. When you're depressed you really don't feel like doing anything. So I'm losing the gun shows I acquired. Boo! I'll get back to it in a few weeks, I hope.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 687 ft Location: Geneva, IL Elev. Gain: +4 ft Date: 04/10/10 Up/Downhill: [+561/-557] Time: 08:58 AM Difficulty: 3.9 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 68 F temp; 38% humidity 68 F heat index; winds S 18 G 25 Performance Distance: 20.00 miles Time: 3:34:36 Speed: 5.6 mph Pace: 10' 44 /mi Calories: 2129 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 20 -1' 24 6.4 +0.8 +3 ft 2 9' 35 -1' 09 6.3 +0.7 0 ft 3 12' 49 +2' 05 4.7 -0.9 +69 ft 4 9' 42 -1' 02 6.2 +0.6 -69 ft 5 9' 54 -0' 50 6.1 +0.5 +3 ft 6 10' 08 -0' 36 5.9 +0.3 +23 ft 7 10' 09 -0' 35 5.9 +0.3 -27 ft 8 10' 19 -0' 25 5.8 +0.2 +17 ft 9 11' 02 +0' 18 5.4 -0.2 -17 ft 10 12' 05 +1' 21 5.0 -0.6 -10 ft 11 10' 37 -0' 07 5.7 +0.1 +4 ft 12 14' 55 +4' 11 4.0 -1.6 -14 ft 13 10' 46 +0' 02 5.6 -0.0 +3 ft 14 16' 18 +5' 34 3.7 -1.9 +9 ft 15 13' 27 +2' 43 4.5 -1.1 -17 ft 16 15' 23 +4' 39 3.9 -1.7 -3 ft 17 12' 37 +1' 53 4.8 -0.8 +17 ft 18 12' 34 +1' 50 4.8 -0.8 -3 ft 19 11' 21 +0' 37 5.3 -0.3 -6 ft end 12' 45 +2' 01 4.7 -0.9 +6 ft Versus average of 10' 44 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: 20 mile run, Fox River Trail, hyperextended knee

One mile for each hour on the train

To spoil the surprise, I didn't get 18 miles in on Monday night.

Come to find out, the train out to Nebraska actually stops in Naperville. I was so excited to see that cause that meant that I didn't have to arrive in Chicago, wait an hour and get back to Geneva at 5:30p. I would instead arrive in Naperville at 2:23pm. Luke said he was willing to pick me up in Naperville too though he might have to go back to work after dropping me back off. I could actually have my run started by 3:30pm!

Well, for those that know Amtrak, they don't run on time. At all. Ever. We were late arriving in Nebraska. And taking off on Monday? Ha. We were supposed to board at 1:34 am, it ended up being 3:10 am that we got on. I was not happy about that. Then with more delays on the train, I ended up arriving in Naperville at 4:43 pm.

Yep, that meant I didn't get my run in until after 6pm. I had a headache getting off the train so I took a long hot shower to try to release my muscles. Then I got dressed so I would feel like running. I originally wore a short sleeved shirt & a running skirt but I quickly changed into my winter tights.

Luke is sick, he picked a cold on Friday, so he wasn't going biking with me. So it was me, all on my own out there. But I did it. I ran in brand new territory.

I got 13.1 miles in (yes, I had to make it a half marathon). I ran the last hour in almost pure darkness. The trail doesn't have any street lights on it. I got a little lost in Batavia cause I wasn't sure where the trail continued through town. Then when I picked it up again, it forced me to cross the river to run on the east side, which is not where it showed the trail going on Google Maps.

So I continued to run down until I hit 6 miles when I ate some Strawberry-Banana PowerBar Gel Blasts. They are sooo good, like candy! Then I hit Rt. 56 and North Aurora and saw that it was 6.5 miles and decided that would be a good turning around point. By this time I kept seeing signs all over that said "Trail is open from Sunrise to Sunset" and it was getting to be near sunset time so I was getting worried.

Then as I said that the last few miles were in the dark. I don't do well with running in the dark, especially on trails that I don't know! So I was kinda speeding it up a bit around that time. I found a great song that allowed me to strike my foot on the ground with each drum beat. My eyes were getting all fuzzy cause of the darkness & it was really kinda chilly out. At first I was thinking I needed glasses but I really don't think I do.

Also, in the last few miles, my arms (hands, forearms & elbows) were starting to cramp and hurt. I think it was cause of the cold. I never had that before. I mentioned to Luke about them cramping and he said that he's had that happened.

Oh and if you want to know, Google Maps added bicycling trails to their driving directions. So you can now see the trails that are around your area. It helps. Below is not really my run, since I didn't follow on the west side that much. Here's the real link to the Garmin Connect info where you can zoom in on the map: Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Run: 13.1 miles in Geneva.

Also, ignore the splits in the Bones in Motion info. They're wrong since I paused a few times, once to look for a stupid ear bud from my head phones.

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 667 ft Location: Geneva, IL Elev. Gain: +10 ft Date: 03/29/10 Up/Downhill: [+410/-400] Time: 06:08 PM Difficulty: 3.2 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 43 F temp; 59% humidity 43 F heat index; winds E 8 Performance Distance: 13.10 miles Time: 2:08:40 Speed: 6.1 mph Pace: 9' 49 /mi Calories: 1398 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 11' 20 +1' 31 5.3 -0.8 +3 ft 2 9' 09 -0' 40 6.5 +0.4 +6 ft 3 10' 09 +0' 20 5.9 -0.2 -10 ft 4 9' 28 -0' 21 6.3 +0.2 -7 ft 5 9' 48 -0' 01 6.1 +0.0 -3 ft 6 10' 16 +0' 27 5.8 -0.3 +10 ft 7 10' 44 +0' 55 5.6 -0.5 -10 ft 8 9' 54 +0' 05 6.1 -0.1 +27 ft 9 9' 26 -0' 23 6.4 +0.2 -10 ft 10 9' 48 -0' 01 6.1 +0.0 -7 ft 11 10' 01 +0' 12 6.0 -0.1 +13 ft 12 9' 52 +0' 03 6.1 -0.0 0 ft 13 9' 55 +0' 06 6.0 -0.1 +3 ft end 9' 15 -0' 34 6.5 +0.4 +9 ft Versus average of 9' 49 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: 13 miles, Fox River Trail, Geneva

A brutal 5 mile run

Or how I really should have stayed inside and NOT run.

First day of Spring. (Also, The Great American Meat-out Day). And it snows. About 3" I would say. Was about 30 degrees at 7am. And had winds up to 22mph, normally around 18mph.

And I went out for a run anyway.

The smartest thing I ever did was to change up my route so that I would run the last mile with the wind at my back.

I ran 1.5 miles south with the wind. Turned around to run 2.5 into the wind, a cold-biting, snow-stinging few miles. Then I turned around and it was a fast last mile thanks to the genius plan of mine.

But otherwise, in that 2.5 heading north into the wind, I was cursing myself. Luckily, I brought enough clothes with me to keep myself warm but I grabbed a HUGE sweatshirt from Luke's closet anyway. Kinda glad I grabbed it. The snow was totally hurting against my cheeks. Underneath my chin it was frozen. The skin under my watch was being burned because it was exposed to air so that my GPS watch could be seen.

But as I said the last mile was a breeze. I really felt my speed pick up. It chased those negative thoughts out of my head that's for sure. Cause I was having some serious doubts.

Friday night, I grabbed a tennis ball from Luke's closet and I laid my hip against it. That was amazing. Then I put it under my hamstring but it's so big & thick that it was hard to find that spot that was sore. But still I fulfilled my daydreams from earlier that day!

Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 675 ft Location: Geneva, IL Elev. Gain: +7 ft Date: 03/20/10 Up/Downhill: [+108/-101] Time: 07:50 AM Difficulty: 2.6 / 5.0 Weather: Light Snow Fog/Mist 32 F temp; 92% humidity 32 F heat index; winds N 17 G 26 Performance Distance: 5.14 miles Time: 0:49:41 Speed: 6.2 mph Pace: 9' 40 /mi Calories: 550 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 04 -0' 36 6.6 +0.4 +6 ft 2 9' 26 -0' 14 6.3 +0.1 -9 ft 3 9' 48 +0' 08 6.1 -0.1 0 ft 4 10' 18 +0' 38 5.8 -0.4 +10 ft 5 9' 57 +0' 17 6.0 -0.2 +6 ft end 8' 03 -1' 37 7.4 +1.2 -6 ft Versus average of 9' 40 min/mile

Posted from bimactive.com

Categories: 5 miles, Fox River Trail, Geneva, hamstring, hip