Back on track...

So, I started week 6-finally.

Run #16- (2.5 min. run, 1 min. walk, 30 min. total). Despite not running in a week and a half I didn't find the ten minute increase to be so bad. It was pouring rain so I was very cool. I did wear old shoes that bothered my foot a little, but I didn't want to get my super fancy new ones dirty.

The run is in 19 days so I'm going to try to finish weeks 6 and 7 early so I can meet the deadline.

Finshed week 4, finally...

Day 30- Run #12 (2 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total). I'm still coughing, but I decided I had waited long enough. I ran on the treadmill at the Golden Door Spa (super fancy). The run was good, it's just hard to catch my breath at this altitude! I felt great after and went with my family for a burger and a local draught lager. We sat outside in the sun at the bottom of the slopes. Afterwards I went back to spa and sat in the hot tub. They have sliced cucumbers and cold towels for your face! I told you it was fancy.

Hopefully I'll feel well enough tomorrow to start week #5.

First setbacks...

Day 21- Long day yesterday followed by a big dinner and a night out on Bourbon. I even played Marco Polo in the pool with Erica and some neighbors. So, today was a lazy Sunday and for the first time I didn't run all three training runs by Sunday.

Day 22- Run # 9 (1.5 min. run, 2.5 min. walk, 20 min. total). Monday, our last full day in New Orleans. I ran all the way down Dauphine and around the french quarter. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not doing the run yesterday, but glad that I still ran and didn't give up.

Day 23- Run #10 (2 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total). It's Tuesday but I count this as the start of Week 4 since I'm off a day. I was starting to feel sick before the run and not looking forward to driving all the way back to Dallas, but the run made me feel a little better and I was suprised that the increase in time didn't feel like much.

Day 24-Sick.

Day 25-Sick.

Day 26-Left for Colorado. Still not feeling great, but I didn't want to get too off track, so

Run #11 (2 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total) was completed in the La Quinta in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a full day of driving. I was so proud of myself for doing it despite being sick, tired and being on the most dangerous treadmill ever. The treadmill in the workout room was slippery and the buttons stuck so it would slow down too much and speed up too much. I used the emergency shutoff thingy you clip to your shirt just in case. Got in the hot tub after with my Mom and then we went for Mexican food with my Dad in Old town.

Day 27- Arrived in Telluride, Colorado. The condo is breathtaking. I'm still not feeling great, but I can't think of a better place to be sick. I've been sitting by the fire drinking tea and looking at the mountains.

Day 28- I wanted to do run #12 today and finish week 4, but I just don't feel up to it. If I wasn't coughing and didn't have a fever I would try it anyways but I'm afraid it would make me feel worse. So this week will have to extend until I feel better.

Day 29- Sick, still. But on the upside the mountains are beautiful and I'm getting in some great reading by the fire.

Run #8 on Bourbon Street

Day 19- I stayed up too late so I layed around most of the day after taking Mom to her lecture in the morning. Mom and I went to a cocktail party for the Historic New Orleans Collection and then Christine came in around 5 with Ella. She's so cute! She's two and a half months and a very good baby. Christine and I took Ella on a walking dinner tour and she wasn't fussy at all. We started at Muriel's for drinks and appetizers. Then we went to Felix's and stood at the oyster bar for 1/2 dozen. Then we went to the Windsor Court hotel for wine and more appetizers. Our final stop was Arnaud's for dessert and coffee. We didn't have entrees at August as planned because I was so full I didn't think I could walk all the way back if I had anything else! We came back to our apartment and my Mom watched Ella while Christine and I went swimming.

Day 20-Run #8 (1.5 min. run, 2.5 min. walk, 20 min. total). I ran through the French Quarter this morning which was hot, but nice. I had a lot to look at. I ran at 8:45 am and there were people already having cocktails walking down the street. I couldn't tell if they started early or hadn't stopped ffrom last night! It was hard starting out, but I felt great when I finished! Now I'm off to the auction.

Moved the running to New Orleans!

Day 14- First official day of vacation. It was greatness. Lunch with The Suz at a fantastic Mexican place I worked at a million years ago and then a manicure and pedicure and dinner with my family.

Day 15- Packing and errands and lunch with Josh S. I was so ready to leave for N.O.

Day 16-We left at 6:30 A.M. and got here around 3:30. I drove the whole way, so once we got here I was just excited to be out of the car! Our apartment is awesome and the rooftop pool has a spectacular view of downtown and the French Quarter. We're right on Bourbon so I can walk out the door and go shopping, drinking, eating etc... We had dinner at Pascal Manale's and had BBQ shrimp, shrimp and oyster panroast and fried soft shell crab. Came back to the apartment and put my feet in the pool after.

Day 17-Woke up late , had lunch at Mandinas (which was amazing- shrimp loaf and gumbo). Previewed the auction, bought a wine table for the shop and then went to Whole Foods for groceries. My Aunt Cindy and I went shopping around 6 and we got some fabulous things. New shoes and jewelry for me and some skirts and jackets for her. I introduced her to the cheapness that is Forever 21. After we picked my Mom up and went to Dick and Jenny's for dinner. That's one of my favorite places and it was wonderful.

Day 18-So, today was run #7 (1.5 min. run, 2.5 min. walk, 20 min. total). I wanted to do this yesterday but just didn't feel like it. So, my next two runs will have to be tomorrow and Sunday. When I walked out of our apartment and on the Bourbon I was feeling reluctant, but good. It's super hot here and a very humid, but once I got to the levy there was a nice breeze. The Calliope was so loud I couldn't hear my ipod!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK7Q5rt9_zA

I was running right by all the boats and the aquarium so the scenery was nice. At first I was thinking that it was so hot I should just walk but I didn't want to give up. After the second run interval I was feeling great and starting to enjoy it. I finished and walked back through the Quarter to our apartment. Every bar I walked by had the air conditioning blasting so I got a nice shot of cold air every few steps. I got back in and talked to my Mom about the run and said I couldn't wait to get in the shower. She said, "Why don't you get in the pool?" I had completely forgotten we have a pool! Haha!

So, the run and my swim was a great start to the day. We're off to preview the auction again and do fun things!

Training Run #6

Day 13- I bought new shoes! I went to Run On where they told me my left foot is bigger than my right and I think the salesman was confused by my huge feet (size 10). He kept bringing me shoes that were too small and he looked puzzled that they were too tight. But, in the end I found a good pair of Mizunos.

http://www.mizunousa.com/equipment.nsf/1/09run2-ftww/410340?opendocument&div=running&cat=09run2-ftww

They're pretty too! So, I went for a run #6 outside in the turbo heat (1 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total). This was the first run that I actually thought about stopping. I think I need to stop using the treadmill because it's way harder to run on the pavement and I need to get used to that. I'm on vacation until the 25th and that whole time I will not have access to a treadmill which is probably a good thing. My list of pros and cons about treadmills vs. pavement will be posted later. I finished my run and felt awesome. I was really sweaty and didn't realize how hot I was until I stopped. I need to really work on drinking water and staying hydrated especially when I'm running outside.

Man my shins hurt...

Day 11- Run #4 (1 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total) It went well. Every time I started walking my shins were really hurting, but it stopped when I ran. I think I need new shoes. Did a 30 min session with David and then hit the hot tub. I've been running on the treadmill because I can go get in the pool right afterwards at the gym.

Day 12- Run #5 (1 min. run, 2 min. walk, 20 min. total) I cancelled my session with David but I still went for a run before work. I was feeling really good and I'm getting excited for my vacation. I may run four times this week if I can get some new shoes and keep the shin splints at bay. On a strange note...Dr. Phil was showing clips from a movie called The Bridge which is a documentary that filmed the Golden Gate bridge 24/7 for a year. Apparently lots and lots of people jump off that thing. After I was done running I walked for a minute to see some of the film clips. One clip was of a photographer saving a girl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5_VYiuK45M

Scroll to about 2min 50 sec.

I would never watch this movie, but that one clip was worth watching.

I sat in the hot tub again trying to heal my shins. Hopefully it'll help.