Lisa Sabin’s - Running And Being

The clouds were looking ominous today as we started out towards Green Lake.  The wet gloppy rain/ snow mix was coming down.    I wore my underarmor and my new running jacket just to make sure I was warm enough.  I braced myself for a tough run.

By the time we got to Green Lake the snow had stopped.  It turned out to be a nice day for running.  Michelle, Mitch and Shelley and I set out, ran down Stone Way, which is .9 miles towards Lake Union.  The downhill felt good.   We ran around Lake Union, which is about 7 miles and headed back up Stone Way.  Not so much fun!  We got back to our cars shed some clothing, and finished up with a run around Green Lake.  It turned out to be a great run.  Thanks everyone!  I wouldn’t have done it without you. 

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 01/06/2008
• Time: 11:09:09
• Total Time: 1:54:00.00
• Average Heart rate: 166
• Max Heart rate: 178
• Calories: 960
• Distance: 12 miles
• Average Pace: 9:29.62/mile

My race is 4 months from now. It’s raining and cold, the usual dreary Seattle Winter weather, and I am regretting telling my friend Michelle that I’ll do 8 miles with her. I’ve had a cup of coffee and I’ve got my GPS on, but I just don’t want to go out there in the cold, dark rain.

There is no cheating when it comes to marathon training. It is the ultimate test. I’m not a gifted marathoner. The marathon is a tough distance for me, as I’m better built for shorter races. Suddenly, I find myself feeling a little nervous. I have to follow my training plan which includes running 4 days a week and doing 2 days of strength training.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll know that I am doing The Resolution Series as part of my training. The support of an organized run will help get me to my goal.   Michelle is training for the Western States 100 Mile Ultra.  Andrea is training for The Boston Marathon as well.  We are all doing the Resolution Series.  We’ll support each other through our fitness goals, getting in some running together. 

Michelle and I got in 8 miles today.  If we hadn’t made the committment, both of us wouldn’t have ran today, at least not 8 miles.  We stretched a bit and stopped at Starbucks, the usual reward at the end of a run.  I am glad we went!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 12/22/2007
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 1:09:40.00
• Average Heart rate: 161
• Max Heart rate: 170
• Calories: 650
• Distance: 8 miles
• Average Pace: 8:42.5/mile

The alarm went off at 5 am this morning. I don’t know why I agreed to run so early on a Saturday. I got up and put the coffee on. I am useless without my coffee, a true Seattlite. “Whose idea was this?” I asked my friend Michelle when she walked in the door dressed in several layers of REI clothing.

We were meeting her friend Sara, who can run sub 7 minute miles with ease. Sara had to be done running by 8 am. So, we agreed to forgo sleep and get the run out of the way.

It’s pitch black and freezing cold as we pull into the parking lot near Greenlake. Immediately we start running at a pretty fast clip, just to stay warm. We complete the 3.1 mile loop and I am thinking, we are only half way done and I’m dying. Our plan was to run 7 miles.

We stop at the car for some water. Good, I’m thinking I need a break. “Are you guys up for going up and over the hill and going around the lake again?”, asks Sara. She’s not even breathing hard. I’m thinking, I’ve got to give up the french fries, and drop some more weight. This sucks!

Michelle has a gu and is feeling great after that. Sara is easily running along chattering. I am breathing hard and slowing them down. My legs feel like lead. We make it around the lake again, just as the sun starts to rise. I push myself hard the last 1/4 mile. I just have to finish.

The good news is that I feel pretty good after running on the trails, the bad news is I don’t know if I can keep up with these girls! They are killing me!

Is anyone else out there sick of this *#!*$! snow? I have been so excited to get outside and run. I wake up every day thinking about Boston and training for the marathon. My coaches tell me not to run on the treadmill if possible. The treadmill isn’t as good as running outside because it’s too repetitive. It stresses the same muscles in the same way. It seems to aggravate my plantar fasciitis. I really need the variety of running outside on softer surfaces.

We have just had the weirdest weather this year here in Seattle. I went out to Greenlake on Saturday and Sunday and was able to run on the path there. The snow was beautiful and I was able to get in some good hill training.

Now we are back to the slushy stuff. School was 2 hours late and all extra curricular activities were cancelled. I rearranged my schedule for a special Honor’s Society Event. My daughter has a 3.9 GPA and is in Honor Society. We are really proud of her and hope she keeps up the good work. A scholarship would be nice! The meeting was rescheduled, due to the snow and ice.

I hate this #*!$! snow! I called my friend Michelle and told her that’s it, I am hitting the treadmill. I am dying to get a good run in. I am not insane, although my family thinks I am sometimes. I am just addicted to running! I can get pretty grumpy if I miss a work out.

I have to confess that I am struggling to get out there in this nasty weather. I went out to Greenlake to run a couple of times, but it’s been pretty dicey.

We don’t normally get all this snow here in Seattle. Most of us don’t know how to drive in the stuff. People run out of gas, abondon their vehicles on the freeways and walk home. School is cancelled and everything comes to a halt. The news reporters tell us “Don’t go out if you don’t have to.”

As a personal trainer who starts her day at 5 or 6 am, I listen to the weather report. I have clients who live in outlying areas and struggle with the commute. This is just nuts! We have had such weird weather here in the Northwest. Is it global warming? El nino? I don’t know, mostly it’s been a pain in the rear that threatens to derail our training.

We have another snow storm coming in and I have clients at 5 am tomorrow. I don’t know what the commute will be like. The thing that gets me through, besides Starbucks 24hour drive through, is being there for people are committed to their goals. They inspire me every day, rain or shine.