Day 27: Cutting Corners

We did a pitiful, cut short, we're so hungry, whiny run yesterday. It was funny how the spiral downward and lack of motivation sucked us both down until we agreed. OK - only 5 running segments instead of 6. (Not too bad of a compromise.) I'll give the little guy credit. He doesn't love it but he keeps running (are we really running or just sort of jogging) with me, and he is awesome company. We discuss our day, laugh and support each other.

Chip is on the beach in the Turks and Caicos with Wheel and running... or so he says. I think he may be "running" to the nearest ice cream stand. OH.... he'll pay when he returns! When we speed right past him.

Saturday a.m. is our next scheduled run. The forecast is for snow and sleet; I can tell you no running. I'll get back to it on Sunday afternoon when it warms up. Schedule so far  Mon | Wed | Sat  - seems to be working. But it's hard to believe in 27 days I've only run 10 times. Seems pretty wimpy to me.

New training schedule continued. Podcast week 2*
Workout 10:  warm up 5 mins | run 90 secs / rest 2 mins (6 5 pitiful segments, always asking "are we done yet?") | Cool down

Day 26: Runnin' Down a Dream

It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down. I had my radio on. I was driving.
Trees flew by, me and Del were singing "Little Runaway", I was flyin'

Runnin' down a dream, that never would come to me.
Working on a mystery, going wherever it leads... 
                Runnin' down a dream.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1989

Day 24: Family Run - Monday Fun

Mondays have become the only day we typically run as a family. Family runs are humourous. If only I could provide a video for your amusement. Tonight did seem easier than before, but still not a "no effort, should be able to carry on a conversation easily" type of run that Ullrey pronounces on his podcast.

Spoke to Molly Barker on Tuesday who is both encouraging and inspiring - and real. She told me I might be one of those who is so glad when it's over. Could be! We will see.

New training schedule continued. Podcast week 2*
Workout 9:  warm up 5 mins | run 90 secs / rest 2 mins (6 segments) | Cool down\

Day 22: Today Embarks Team WhiteOak

Look at that form, will ya? Me and my friend, Claire Oakley, who agree two weeks ago to join in the GOTR training. It's cold. It's damp and we're running. Claire is now on the bandwagon. She will run on a schedule each week - and we will sync up on Sat mornings...


We're renamed ourselves as Team WhiteOak. It helps to someone new. We have moved to Level 2 of the training. Team WhiteOak Rocks!

New training schedule continued. Podcast week 2*
Workout 8:  warm up 5 mins | run 90 secs / rest 2 mins (Total of 20 mins) | Cool down\

*We are doing 2 weeks at each level instead of the 1 week per level recommended by Robert Ullrey. This is in hopes of sustaining interest and drive thru May! 

Day 21: Raining - No Running...

And I ran, I ran so far away.
I just ran. I ran both night and day.
Couldn't get away.....
                                               Flock of Seagulls  - 1982

Day 19: Back in Queen City

A plane ride, a day's work and I'm back at it in Governor's Square. Team White was down to 2 runners today - me and my son. As soon as we headed down the path, he put on the pout. Oh no... anything but running with the pouty boy! So ensued the normal mom/son questioning...

What's up? You don't seem happy.
"Nuthin"
Well it doesn't seem like nothing. Did something go wrong at school?
"No."
What is it then?
"I just don't know why I'm doing this running training thing. I don't really want to. I can run a 5k!"

Well... there you have it. My 10-year-old son can run a 5k. He never has of couse. And he doesn't need training. Listen, I didn't need training when I was his age either - except maybe a training-bra! No, seriously. If I have to listen to mopey pants the entire run...I might quit... thank goodness he finally cheered up.
He cheered up just in time to twist his ankle on the trail. (Are you seeing a pattern here?) Oh yeah, and I made him keep running; never once gave him an ounce of sympathy. THAT, my friends, is how you get voted Mother of the Year! (He got over the ankle twist pretty quickly. Must not have been that bad.)

As you can see I'm serious about this running thing! Nothing stopping me yet - not even mopey boy.

New training schedule today! Podcast week 2: New music on podcast, too.
Workout 7:  warm up 5 mins | run 90 secs / rest 2 mins (Total of 20 mins) | Cool down while cooking dinner. Readers: don't try this at home.

Day 17: No iPod, Egads!

My iPod is dead and I forgot my USB charger cord. Eeeek! I can't run without Robert Ullrey whispering sweet running nothings in my ear! I call Chip to tell him the tragedy laughs. "Can't you just count to 60 running; then count to 90 walking and start over again 8 times?"

"Egads, man!" I reply, "Have you lost your mind? I am not a runner! I must have my Ullrey."

So, it's off to Walmart to find a quick charger or something. Defeated and downtrodden after 10 minutes searching the mega-walmart in Corsicana, TX -- where they have plenty of ride-on shopping cart thingys (I was almost run down twice by women on motorized cart-things coming around corners) but no iPod chargers -- I leave empty handed but determined to run, even without music and my precious Ullrey, I go back to the park.

Looking at my watch was an utter failure and counting didn't really work either, so I used the equi-distant lightposts ringing the track as markers for 60-second and 90-second intervals.

Note to self: running without iPod is like chips without salsa. Tolerable, but boring.

Workout 6: Stretching while watching ducks/swans.  5 minute warm-up watching the clock; 8 complete 5-pole run segments /6-pole walk segments around a pond; 5 min trash pick-up cool down