My Push Up Challenge and a Running Group Weekend!

Well, I am back and finally blogging about this weekends St. Cloud River Runners Saturday group run. I wanted to get at least ten miles in so I arrived at 7 AM at our meeting place and met Amy, Deb, Pam, Nikki and Jeff. They led me out on a five mile run around the Sartell neighborhood and trails. It was a nice run and we ran at about a 8:30 to 9:00 minute mile pace. Nikki and Amy had already been running since 5 AM and wanted to get 15 to 20 miles in for the morning:) The picture above was taken after we got back from our first five mile run. We stopped off at our meeting place and got in a bathroom and water break. The picture that I posted is small, if you want a larger version click on this and scroll down one picture.

This is a picture of Jeff and me.

Here is one of me and Deb.

This is Nikki and Amy. Nikki is going to Boston and Amy is training for a few Triathlons:)

This is Deb and Pam:) After getting our five to ten minute break our group picture was taken. Shortly after that the whole group started running again. It was just like a few weeks ago where we all started off together. The first mile was a warm up and then everyone just kind of adjusted to whatever pace they wanted to be running. For the next five miles I stayed with Deb, Shannon, Yvette and Pam. We ran at about the same pace as the first run. I thought that this five miles was a little harder than the first because there were a few hills. After our run we all got together and had breakfast in our hosts Patty and George's house. Everyone brought a different dish or food item to share:) It was really fun just chatting and getting to know more of the goup:) I had a very nice time and enjoyed myself once again! I was actually thinking about running in The Human St. Patty's Day 8k race in St. Paul today. I had asked Amy for her advice not really knowing what to do. If I would of ran the Human Race I would of done a shorter run on Saturday. Amy talked me out of it saying that if I was training for the Earth Day Half Marathon that it was more important to get a longer run in. I think that she was right and I know I made the right choice by not running the race. I have the next three weekends in a row sloted with different races!! Today I went on an easy five mile recovery run around the Maple Grove trail system. My daughter came with me on her bike. It was about 45 degrees and a little windy, but it was nice. I ran at about a 9:00 minute mile pace. My right hip felt fine but my right knee was bugging me a bit. This is a new developement and I am not sure what to make of it. I did feel a little sore this morning in my calves and in my arms & shoulders!! Thanks to Jeff:)

Here is a picture of the gorgeous creek that flows beside the running trails. It is hard to tell right now but once it greens up it will look so beautiful:)

Okay, so on to my 100 Push-Up Challenge that Jeff is organizing. Jeff posted about a challenge where other bloggers could work and train for six weeks and eventually be able to do an amazing 100 push-ups in a row! I am always up for a good challenge and thought, hell yes I will try this:) So this was my first week and it kicked my butt!! Here is a picture of one of my guns:) I can tell that they are getting more defined and toned! I took the initial test and I was able to complete 35 total. Now don't be thinking that doing this was easy because it was not. I can do 30 comfortably but the last three to five are harder than hell:) I looked at the plan and being 40 years old, I placed myself where the chart suggested. I think I am supposed to be at week four. Jeff, please tell me if I am doing this right because it was so hard!! I had to do five sets of push-ups doing 21, 25, 21, 21, and 32 push-ups with a 60 second break between each set. Holy crap is that hard!! Day number two was worse...five sets of 25, 29, 25, 25, and 36 push-ups with a 90 second break between each set!! Can I say, "Ouch and oh my God I hurt!!" Jeff, I am going to be honest with you...on a few of those sets, I took longer than the suggested 90 second break!! Day three consisted of five sets of 29, 33, 29, 29, and 40 push-ups!!! Yea, I sucked on day three!! The suggested rest time of 120 seconds was not enough for me! I could not do the suggested last 40!! I hurt so bad! My shoulders, arms and forearms screamed in protest!!! I hurt and I hurt bad but I did the best that I could:) I wish I could tell you that I am looking forward to week two:) Yea, not so much!! I might be a baby and move down a week:)

This is me and my little man:) He is a little boy and is always running and playing rough! Notice his wipe out ouchy under his nose! Apparently he bit the dust at daycare scratching part of his face:( This week I will continue to get my runs in so that I am ready for my upcoming 10k on Saturday. I will also continue to do my push-up challenge. I hope that everyone has a wonderful week full of great runs:)

Oh, and one more thing, I am going to be a proud mother and brag up my daughter:) My daughter Kay is in the 8th grade and runs for the Maple Grove track team. She is a fast sprinter!! Last week after one of her practices the Jr. high and Sr. high school track coaches asked her to run in a varsity track meet!!! They told her that she is doing great and getting noticed for her speed. The distance coach also wants her because she did so good on her 400 meter testing run! I am very proud of her and thrilled that she was asked to run in a varsity track meet! They asked her to run the 100, 200, be one of the legs in the 4 by 100 relay team and possibly run a 400:) Go Kay!!

Also, go check out Tricia's Kettle Worx giveaway