Running with Kids...Week 8

T-7 Days until our first 5k.

We nailed 20 minutes the prior week...and our challenge this week was to run for 27 minutes straight.  We started with 20+5, then 25, then 27.

The 20+5 was tough.  The first run was at 7 with my son..man, I just was NOT into it at all.  The second run was with my daughter at 8 (my son was on his bike for this one as neither I or he wanted to be left at home alone), but it was so easier.  Its amazing what an hour can make in Florida's sun!  The difference was almost refreshing!

Then, the 25....tough.

Then, the 27...tougher.  But, we did it!

Our protocol for this last week starts with this run:
Run 28 minutes

Then:
Run 29 minutes

Then:
Run 30 minutes


...and then then race!  We are all getting nervous now!

Running with Kids...Week 7

T-14 Days until our first 5k.

Its getting close!  I think I've finally figured out how to give me a rest, and how to ensure that the kids stick to their training without bickering.  Fortunately, I'm stronger now and can run farther, just like them...and the running almost every day with one of them has benefitted me.  This last week, I ran with my son, rested for 10 minutes, then ran with my daughter.  This ensured that I get a rest day between runs....and ensured that they both stayed with the plan...and ensured that I had more miles, which I want to do.

Every week, we are also running to the ice cream parlor.  One night, me and my son ran there, we had a little ice cream and then me and my daughter ran back.  Its an easy way for me to run/walk 4 miles (definitely more running than walking now!), but still not overburden them.  My son ran an entire mile without stopping, and my daughter hit 11 minutes....on the way back, we warmed up for 5 minutes, ran 11 minutes, walked for 4 minutes, then ran again for 10 minutes.  Nice!

Now, my daughter is definitely slower than my son, but given that she weighs 100 pounds and here is a scrawny 75 pounds, this shouldn't surprise me.  Time will benefit both of them. Maybe she will even drop a few pounds, but she really doesn't NEED to, but dropping a few will benefit her speed and her self esteem.  But, I know if I dropped 50 pounds, I probably could keep up with my son, as I'm sure in time that he will simply get faster!

Our final run this week was to attempt the 20-minute run...straight through, no stopping, with no concern with how slow or fast we were running.  I first ran with my daughter...she was slow, as expected, but she did great!  I rested for 5 minutes while my son was changing, and then we ran 20 minutes non-stop.  Ugh...he chatted the ENTIRE time about greek mythology and his breathing was still very easy, but man, I was being challenged.  I never recall looking at the watch this much!  But, this week is now in the books!

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 20 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 5 minutes

Then:
Run 25 minutes

Then:
Run 27 minutes

Jealous of My Kids' Lung Power!

So, I'm running a LOT more than them...and every time I run with one of them, I'm simply just jealous of the fact that my breathing is so much harder than theirs.  So not fair!  My son can now talk constantly running for an entire mile while educating me on greek mythology (he absolutely loves the subject) while I'm huffing and puffing over here.  Oh, the joys of youth!

Running with Kids...Week 6

T-21 Days until our first 5k.

Last week went well!  In fact, the last run with my daughter was supposed to be 7-5-7.  First interval was 7 minutes, the second ended up being closer to 8, and then she said "why don't we run to the ice cream parlor and have daddy meet us there."  We ended up running the last interval for 10 minutes.  Very very pleased and now she KNOWS that she can do this.  With warm up and cool down, we did 2.4 miles in 37 minutes.  With very little effort NOW, we should be able to do a 5k in less than 45 minutes...which was subconsciously my minimum goal for them, although I would love to see them do it in under 40.

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:
Run 8 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 8 minutes

Then:
Run 10 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 10 minutes

Then:
Run 20 minutes

Wish us luck!

Half Marathon...too fast, too much?

So, there is an inaugural half marathon in 10 weeks.  Is it insane that I'm considering this?    Yes, it's crazy.  I know its too much too soon....and yet, that is not stopping me.

Is this too much for a long run every week?

Week 1 - 8/8/16 - 3 miles long run
Week 2 - 8/15/16 - 4 mile long runWeek 3 - 8/22/16 - 5 mile long runWeek 4 - 8/29/16 - 6 mile long runWeek 5 - 9/5/16 - 7 mile long runWeek 6 - 9/12/16 - 8 mile long runWeek 7 - 9/19/16 - 9 mile long runWeek 8 - 9/26/16 - 10 mile long runWeek 9 - 10/3/16 - 11 mile long runWeek 10 - 10/10/16Week 11 - Race Day


I really love the idea of participating in this local half marathon...it has strong roots in the organization.  It has strong support of the local government, and the route looks to be absolutely amazing...most of it water views.

And I heard that the bling is amazing.

Running with Kids...Week 5

T-27 Days until our first 5k.


So, we are getting closer...and fortunately stronger. And, while my intentions last week was to run alone with each of the kids (most of the time), we did run once together...and no bickering!  Whats most surprising is that my daughter was the stronger runner and my son lagged behind...which is a first.  I'm not sure if she stepped up because he was tired, but its nice to see her comfortable with the intervals...at least once.  The run prior with her alone, I swear I saw teardrops on her face.  She doesn't want to stop....I think she's scared that she can't do it....or maybe her side-stitch really was as painful as she indicated (which was the reason she told me that she was tearing).  I don't think she's afraid of letting me down.  Maybe she was just over-tired and therefore over-sensitive?   At least it didn't affect her the following run.  While I know she was pushing herself, she seemed very capable.

For the most part, our runs this last week averaged 15-16 minutes in 3 intervals.  The long interval averaged 6 minutes.  Some days it was closer to 5 and some days it was 6.5 (they forgot to ask "how much longer mom" every 20 seconds, so I kept running longer).  I have to say, while the week started hard, it ended on a high note!

I do think that our "walking" intervals are too long, however.  My son keeps pushing for 3 minute walking breaks, but I think that has more to do with Pokemon Go than the actual need for rest.  Yes, I carry my phone with me while we run, and he carries it while we walk.  After all, we do have 3 pokestops in our own little neighborhood on our 2-mile route! 

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 5 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
...repeat twice

Run 6 minutes Walk 1 minute
Run 4 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Run 6 minutes

Then this run:

Run 7 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 7 minutes

I admit that I'm a little worried about this week.  The first one, while its 4 intervals and they have been doing three, will be hard...but I'll sell it to them since there is no 6-minute interval.  And, if I break down the second run, its doable, since they have already done 4-6-4, so its not that different...and the first run should be easier since they are fresher...the last one is the one I'm worried about.  And that last day...7-5-7....no idea how I'm selling that one.  If I think of any ways to spin it, I'll have to take notes so I don't forget!

Running with Kids...Week 5

T-27 Days until our first 5k.


So, we are getting closer...and fortunately stronger. And, while my intentions last week was to run alone with each of the kids (most of the time), we did run once together...and no bickering!  Whats most surprising is that my daughter was the stronger runner and my son lagged behind...which is a first.  I'm not sure if she stepped up because he was tired, but its nice to see her comfortable with the intervals...at least once.  The run prior with her alone, I swear I saw teardrops on her face.  She doesn't want to stop....I think she's scared that she can't do it....or maybe her side-stitch really was as painful as she indicated (which was the reason she told me that she was tearing).  I don't think she's afraid of letting me down.  Maybe she was just over-tired and therefore over-sensitive?   At least it didn't affect her the following run.  While I know she was pushing herself, she seemed very capable.

For the most part, our runs this last week averaged 15-16 minutes in 3 intervals.  The long interval averaged 6 minutes.  Some days it was closer to 5 and some days it was 6.5 (they forgot to ask "how much longer mom" every 20 seconds, so I kept running longer).  I have to say, while the week started hard, it ended on a high note!

I do think that our "walking" intervals are too long, however.  My son keeps pushing for 3 minute walking breaks, but I think that has more to do with Pokemon Go than the actual need for rest.  Yes, I carry my phone with me while we run, and he carries it while we walk.  After all, we do have 3 pokestops in our own little neighborhood on our 2-mile route! 

Our protocol for this week starts with this run:

Run 5 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
...repeat twice

Run 6 minutes Walk 1 minute
Run 4 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Run 6 minutes

Then this run:

Run 7 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 5 minutes

Walk 2 minutes

Run 7 minutes

I admit that I'm a little worried about this week.  The first one, while its 4 intervals and they have been doing three, will be hard...but I'll sell it to them since there is no 6-minute interval.  And, if I break down the second run, its doable, since they have already done 4-6-4, so its not that different...and the first run should be easier since they are fresher...the last one is the one I'm worried about.  And that last day...7-5-7....no idea how I'm selling that one.  If I think of any ways to spin it, I'll have to take notes so I don't forget!

Too Much, Too Soon?

So, there is an inaugural half marathon in October....the only one that has ever been in my city.  I want to do it, but just not sure if I can get where I need to be.  This one, unlike all of the others that I have ever been in (back in the day) will be attended by other people I know.  Nobody, except my immediate family, even knows that we are running as a family now.  Scared to be embarrassed....but how many times does the chance come around?  I also hear that the bling is amazing!

I have been running for 5 weeks now....I have been running at the kids' pace.  I may have to run with them, and then drop them off at the house and continue on to see how strong I feel.  That honestly, is not a bad plan....2 miles with them and tack on another 1+ alone.  Only then will I know if I have a chance of getting up to 10 miles before 10/15.  If I can get to 10 miles (even at a 12:00 pace), I will do the half marathon.  Doable goal?  That still makes me incredible slow....but not insanely slow.

Honk Honk...Yes, we know you are there, honking...at my 10-year old child!

So, I ran with my daughter this morning.  Now, I know that we didn't know who was in that car.  I also know that I'm so out of shape and overweight that the honk was not for my attention.  Sadly, I have to assume its for my daughter.

She is 4'11" now (she gets her height from dad, because its certainly not from me!).  She was wearing running shorts...ones that she wears at softball and basketball all the time.  She had a pony tail for her long blonde locks.  She wore a running singlet with a colorful sports bra underneath it (although she barely needs anything up there, so its more of a fashion statement!).  If she was a teen or adult, she would be considered thin, but actually for her age, she is right where she needs to be....not skinny by any means, but also not chunky by any means.

Of course she is unaware that the honk is for her.  But man, just because she is tall does not mean that she isn't 10!    Her first harassment, and I don't even know if I should tell her anything about it.

Running with Kids...Week 4

T-34 Days until our first 5k.

Our planned protocol for this last week:
Run 4 minutes
Walk 2 minutes
Run 6 minutes
Walk 3 minutes
Run 4 minutes

We did not do that well.  Unfortunately, our travel plans dictated other things.  We did manage to push ourselves walking a LOT in the hot humid New Orleans sun while out of town!  Doesn't that count for something?  We do have some catching up to do, for sure.  Our first run in New Orleans was a ton of running, compared to walking...but not like the planned protocol.  Our second run was when we returned home...we did 3 minutes running, 2.5 minutes walking...total 5 running intervals.  So, we did several intervals, but they were simply not the distance needed.

We will play a little catch up this coming week.  Hopefully run at least every other day.  

Now, I do give us a pass.  No new runner should ever have to run in New Orleans heat and humidity.  Only when Fall arrives will the kids understand that they have strengthened their lungs sufficiently...right now, they are running on faith that they believe me and that I won't kill them in the process!

Regardless, have their hearts improved?  Yes!  Do you they see that?  Yes!  Is the weather awfully hot?  Yes!

How do I know this?  We got back Friday night and my daughter had a basketball game Saturday morning.  I recall that she was near death the first full-length game where she had to play all 4 quarters.  She was wincing, she was near crying....she never said it, but you could tell just looking at her.  Today? Full-length, 4 quarters....she did pretty good!  No look of death on her face :)

So, to reflect a bit...lungs are definitely getting stronger.  I can see it in both of them.  Now, lets get those leg and core muscles strengthening!  And, lets increase the run:walk ratio!