phew, the heat is exhausting!

9 miles today! Phil and I got up around 6:40 a.m., and were out the door by 7. Man, it is hot out already! The way out wasn't so bad- we took the Menomonee Parkway out through the golf course, to Watertown Plank. When we turned around, it was like the sun kicked it up a notch. On the way back, Phil let me in on a secret...he calls that stretch 'Death Valley'. Death Valley indeed- I got goosebumps, stride was out of step, etc. We brought water, so I refreshed and we just tried to plow through the rest of the run.

The only bad part of the run- I got blisters :( They're on my big toes, and are familiar to me. I'm bummed because we have a wedding tonight, and I plan on getting down. (Congrats Gregg & Monica!)

I'm heading to the 'Tosa farmers market-enjoy your weekend!

-Haylea

p.s. I forgot to put up some of my favorite running songs on yesterdays post. I'll get around to it another day, but if you don't have Madcon on your iPod- get some. 'Turn Me Loose' is my fav!

Musical Motivation.

The past couple of days have been relatively easy, and tomorrow isn't the longest run I have to do so I've been feeling good. I realized today that next week is going to kick my butt. I add an extra mile in each run during the week, and bump to the unknown distance of 14 miles on the weekend next week. I'm trying not to stress out about it, but gosh that's a lot of miles! I'm trying to strategize how to attack the runs, and what my motivation will be.

Music used to be my refuge during runs. It would push me faster and further. The songs were picked by hand, with several playlists for each kind of run I would do. There were lists for hills, speedwork and distance runs. There were names like "run longer!" "get moving" "don't stop till you get enough". It was all birds and sunshine..until I cut cold turkey. Let me explain. The music happened in the gym, not on the road. There were people yaking away, I wasn't actually going anywhere, and the scenery included sweaty guys grunting on the weight machines. NO THANK YOU! I found I needed to escape it all. I've transitioned to the road, folks.

Road running is so different for me. I want to be safe, and hear what's going on around me. Instead of grunting, I can hear birds chirping, kids playing, and zone out in the scenic road rather than my music. Plus, I fidget with it. Once I start to sweat the earbuds fly out of my ears. The case irritates my hip, and the cord bounces around my neck in the most irritating way possible. Now, on top of all of that...there are a group of runners "THEM" who are purist runners and think iPods are for wusses. I'm not a wuss! I'm training for a marathon, damn it! Ha- seriously though, it is kind of fun to see people's reactions when you say I don't use an iPod. They look at you like your crazy when you say you're running double-digit miles (at once...) but when you don't listen to music they think you've gone off the deep-end. So, maybe it's the reaction I'm going for. Or maybe I just don't want to get hit by a car.

-Haylea

early morning running club.

It's official, I'm a member of the early morning running club. This morning I woke up at 4:20 a.m. and went for my 6 mile run. Did you guys hear that? 6 miles before work. I am still in shock...or maybe just exhausted, I don't quite know yet. I won't have time to run it tonight, or tomorrow night so I had no other choice. Well, I could have skipped but that's not going to get me to the finish line, is it?

First of all, it is still hot and muggy at 430 am. I couldn't believe just how humid it was! I was dripping at the end of the run. I ran out for 30 minutes, and back. On the way out, I only saw 4 other people! It must be too early for humans because I only saw 4 people on my way "out" but a lot of animals. I ran into exact 12,358 gnats (10,000 smacked into my face), 2 raccoons, a demented squirrel who didn't know what was going on, a bunny and a deer (in a parking lot nonetheless). The doe was incredible- she was just standing there, grooming herself. I think she was just as suprised to see me as I was her- I'm sure she was like "what the hell...humans already? this is going to be just a fantastic day...where's my coffee?" I heard the birds having their morning cup of joe, and actually enjoyed it! Usually I want to throw rocks at them out my window for their morning songs, but today I felt more like Cinderella than the Wicked Stepmother towards them.

Once I turned around, it was as if equilibrium had shifted and the animals went back into their hiding spots. I saw around a dozen people running/biking/walking dogs instead of animals. I was literally dripping by the time I turned around and imagine the humans were just as scared of me as the demented squirrels. The humming of air conditioning teased me on my way home. I visualized being in a zero-humidity zone, with cold water and NPR playing in the background. I had a considerably fast pace today, and pushed up Long Legs Larry, and went as fast as I could home.

When I got home Phil looked so proud. So often he gets up and goes for a run while I sleep in (and by sleep in, I mean get up at 5:25) He was getting ready to run to work, (he's nuts...yes, Phil...you're nuts) and said "welcome to the club" I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last morning run I'll do....

-Haylea

It's a short week.

Friday's run was crazy, but Saturday and Sunday were crazy for other reasons. This weekend was the big Alpine spectacular for the DMB shows. The first show was alright, nothing amazing to remember. We had seats pretty far back, so I wasn't into the concert as much. I did have a few beverages before and lots of water during the show which equals disaster for me. As you all know, Alpine is seated on a huge hill...and they place the bathrooms at the top of the hills, seats on the bottom. Needless to say, I literally got a hill workout in that night.

The 2nd night was insane. Phil and I had pit tickets, so we went in early. I wore sneakers because we'd be standing and dancing so much. We were so close to the front! I only had 1 person between me, and the gate to the stage. It was unbelievable. Proof is to the left. I danced like mad, and am also counting that night of the concert as 'cross-training'.

Monday was a total loss- I rested, rested, rested.

Today (Tuesday) was a quick 3 miles that I did over lunch.

Here was the "BIG" thing this weekend. A direct quote from my mouth (Phil's not letting me forget it) "I only have to run 9 miles this weekend" DID I REALLY SAY THAT? OHHH, WEE. We're becoming a real runner folks....

-Haylea

12 miles on a Friday!

Whew, today was rough. As I said yesterday, my training schedule called for a 12 mile run on Saturday. I'm tailgating all day at Alpine so I didn't want to do it then. My only other choice was today. Considering I had to work all day, running for 2 hours afterwards wasn't appealing either. My solution was to break it up and run twice today.

I ran 4.5 miles over lunch, with Ashley. Well, she ran 5, but we were next to each other on the treadmills. It was awesome having her as a partner today because we both agreed if either one wavered we would have been at Starbucks in a hurry. I haven't been on the treadmill in a while, but it felt pretty good. I kept it at a 9:13/mile pace, and could comfortably talk. I ran around 2 p.m. so I wouldn't have much distance between my two runs.

My second run came once I got home, around 6:30 p.m. Phil went with me for this run-bless his heart. My legs were pretty tired before we even got started. We ran on the Hank Aaron trail again but with a lofty goal of 75 minutes. The sun was still pretty hot, and on the way back it was setting at eye level. We kept a pretty consistent pace up, or at least Phil thinks so :-) I'll be honest, I just tried to zone out and get home. The upside to running two runs like this (for me anyway) is that it was harder than if I would have ran it at once. I have to get used to pushing through the pain, and staying focused on the end goal. The proof is in the picture at the top. I'm too tired to rotate it, so just turn your head please :)

When I got home I kept my promise to keep stretching. I'm actually going to wrap this up so I can use the roller stick. Happy 4th of July weekend!

-Haylea

Lunch run.

I had a 3 mile run scheduled for today, so I got outside and did it during my lunch break. This is the exact reason I love Direct Supply, and will keep working there. I don't have to be dressed up all day, I get do whatever I want over lunch, and take it whenever I want to. I came back pretty sweaty (turns out that sun was hotter than I estimated) and no one even gave me a second glance.

The run was ok- I was at a faster pace than normal simply because I was at work and did indeed want to get back to my desk on time. I drove to a little parkway close by and ran there. DS is on the north side, so not exactly the best neighborhoods to run through. Glendale was much nicer :)

Tomorrow I'm up for 12 miles. Normally it would be done on Saturday, but this weekend is DMB at Alpine. 2 hours of running before an Alpine trip would be the death of me. I'm looking forward to seeing how my 2nd long run goes, but I'm a little nervous. First of all it's after work...and not any work day, the day before a long holiday weekend. Which means my customers aren't going to be around and it's going to be really slow. On top of that, I'm scheduled to work late, so I won't be getting out on time. I'm basically working 11 hours, and then running for 2. YIKES. I'm also nervous for the aftermath. Getting done with my run at 8:30 isn't entirely appealing to begin with, but I have a ton of stuff to prep for the concert. We're making grilled portobello burgers, fruit salad and homemade fruit dip (not fluff-sick, gross- dip with good-for-you yogurt). Sunday is kabobs, cupcakes and jello shots. All need prep-work and I'm not sure how up to it I'm going to feel after running 2 hours. Luckily, Phil has the afternoon off and will be a super helper.

I hope you enjoy your night-get outside, it's beautiful!

-Haylea

long run wednesday.

In the training plan I'm using, Wednesdays are home to semi-long runs. They're usually 1/2 the length of the long run coming up on the weekend and this week was no exception. Today was 6, Saturday will be 12.

Phil and I ran along the Hank Aaron Trail today. I've never been on it, and appreciated new territory. Running there-and-back is getting really old, so having new ground to cover was awesome. We made it past Miller Park and I learned it actually runs all the way down to the lakefront. Phil thinks it's about 17 miles...which seems insane. But, in a few weeks that will be my Saturday run so if anyone wants to pick up my tired body at Alterra, coffee is on me. It's a little daunting that 6 miles will soon become a "quick run" and 10-12 will be my mid-range mark. I'm really looking forward to the day I say "I only have 6, 7, or 8 miles to run".

We're grilling corn tonight for dinner, and it's just about done. Have a great night, everyone!

-Haylea