Franny Runs - 18 mile training run!

Well my longest run to date...18 miles. It was not so bad. I just did a nice steady 14 minute pace, and was able to finish in 4 hours 15 minutes. I am surprised that I am not that sore. I actually feel pretty good. I feel better now than I did after my first half marathon. I guess all of the miles during the week helps.

This week we go back down to 14 miles for our long run and then December 27th is the 20 miler!

Franny Runs - 16 mile training day!

My longest run yet! I ran ALL of 16 miles today! I took me 3 hours and 40 minutes. I thought for sure it would take me over 4 hours to do. It was such a beautiful day for a long run. The sun was out but the temp. was low.

I just got out of the "Ice Bath" and am now going to get a 1 -1/2 hour massage.

Next week 18 miles!

"A pace like a Turtle, finishes the race!"

Franny Runs - Seven Mile Run

Ran 7 miles this evening in 1:12:17 or a 10:10 pace. I felt pretty good doing it. I got new shoes, I was having problems with my old shoes. They were too tight, and my toe nails where turning black. These are roomier, but not as cushy.

I do not have any of the other aches and pains that have been bothering me lately. Yeah!

Have to run 16 miles on Saturday! Yikes!

Franny Runs - Month 7

I have been running now for 6 months. So what changes have I noticed?

1. I have more stamina, my heart rate is way down.
2. My legs have muscles (under the saggy skin)
3. My clothes are loose
4. I gained 10 pounds (not sure about this)
5. I miss it when I can not run
   
6. I am a "Race Whore"
7. I am more relaxed, less stress

Well I guess that is all worth it!

Tried to run 14 miles today with my TNT group. Only made it to mile 12 and my foot gave out. Lots of pain!

I have a headache! Just woke up from a nap, now making spaghetti for dinner. An knitting.

is at work, but only until noon!

Franny Runs - No Running for Two Weeks!

Had some shots on the spine yesterday and the doc says "NO RUNNING for TWO WEEKS!" What am I to do. Well I convinced him to let me run in the Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. So I guess I won a little reprieve.

So I will be walking for the next week and a half. So Buddy will be happy, he gets to take long walks with mommy again!

Frannyp Runs Pooping Out!

Well I tried to run my 14 miles yesterday and pooped out at 10. I actually had to call a friend to pick me up because I was still 4 miles from home and feeling really lousy. I was really close to passing out. Not sure what happened. I guess I was a little dehydrated from playing golf the day before in Palm Springs. I think that I got too much sun on Saturday and was unable to run far on Sunday. I feel disappointed as this would have been my furthest run to date. But I had to listen to my body. I did not want to push it and then have injuries or end up in the ER!

I will do it again in a couple weeks. I will pay attention to what I am doing several days before the run to be sure I have enough energy.

Franny Runs Week Twenty Two!

Well I have been running for 22 weeks now. I think that is the longest I have done a physical activity ever. And I am still in love with running! I ran six miles today at an 11:14 pace. I seem to be getting faster on the long runs. That is good. I felt good while running and after today. My foot pain is manageable and the toe is much better.

Today while running it occurred to me that it is starting to feel natural. My mind kept wondering while I was running. I was really able to concentrate on my form. I kept my posture good and I was not as sore as I usually am.

Running is definitely becoming a way of life.

Franny Runs Sore Feet

Well my feet are really bothering now. The top of my right foot was so painful today, I could not complete my 7 mile run, had to cut it short to 5 miles. I am soaking it now in ice water to keep the swelling down. Hopefully it will not get worse. I also have my first black toenail. My big toe on my left foot is totally black. I need to look that up and see what to do for it.

Franny Runs Week Twenty One!

Well it has been about 21 weeks of running so far. I feel good. I do have my ups and downs though. As the miles add up each week, I am finding it harder to get in enough calories to eat. With the Gastric Bypass Surgery, it is hard to eat enough to support 30 miles of running a week. Each mile run burns about 100 calories, so 30 miles run is 3000 calories burned. I can only manage to eat about 1200 calories a day. So I am usually at a deficit.

But I love it!

Franny Runs US Half Marathon in San Francisco!

What a beautiful race route! This had to be the most scenic route I have run. The day started cold (50 Degrees). So I was bundled up with my mittens and knit cap. By race time the sun was trying to come out, after a day of pouring rain. The race started and ended at the Aquatic Park at the warf. We ran through the Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge and back! On the way through the Presidio, it began to rain, which was fine because I had warmed up by then and it felt good. The first view of the Golden Gate Bridge, revealed a rainbow from tip to tip of the bridge. It was amazing! I wish I was running with a camara so I could share.

This was my first Half Marathon that I was able to run the whole way! I had a PR of 02:51:39! That is 5 minutes faster than my last half marathon. I am really please with that as this race had some killer hills! I felt really good after the race too. I did my stretches, walked around the finish area and walked back to the hotel for my Ice Bath! We then spent the day walking around the city with our friends until it was time to catch our flight home. It was really a great race weekend!

Franny Runs Week Twenty!

Wow twenty weeks of running. I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that I was just trying to run. Having problems running for 2 minutes. Now I run 13.1 mile half marathons for training!

This week end I will spend in San Francisco, running the US Half Marathon. It is my third one. It works out perfect as my long run for my marathon training. I am looking forward to the course. We get to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and back! Should be fun, but the forecast is for rain!

Franny Runs - Week Nineteen!

Started running again this week. Have run 7 miles on Tuesday and 3 miles yesterday. Today I run 7 miles again and 11 miles on Saturday with my group. For a grand total of 28 miles this week. The miles are adding up. I have 3 months to go until I run my first Full Marathon! I am excited, but still have no concept of running 26.2 miles all in one day! I suppose it will come to me after I run my 20 mile training run.

I feel much better this week. The virus I had the last 3 weeks just kicked my butt. I feel back on track now. I have lost 5 pounds and my clothes are getting big! I guess that is good, but can not afford to buy new clothes so will be sporting the "baggy" look for a while!

Frannyp Runs Week 18!

Well I did not run all week because of a chest cold, until today. I did a short 4 mile run at a 12:42 pace. It felt good though. I sure missed running. Weird that I have only been running for 18 weeks now and When I can not run, I miss it!

I have two weeks to my next race. I will be doing the US Half Marathon in San Francisco on November 2nd! That should be a lot of fun. We are staying at a hotel on the warf, right by the race start and end, so we do not need to worry about getting there on race morning! I can't wait, will be a fun weekend!

Franny Runs Long Beach Half Marathon!

Well I ran the Long Beach Half Marathon this morning! It was really fun. What a great course. The start and finish where in front of the Long Beach Convention Center along Shoreline Drive. We ran over to the Queen Mary, then back to Shoreline Drive, down the bike path along the beach just a little beyond Olympic Pool, we then turned around and back down Ocean Ave. to the finish line! I had a PR of 2h:56m:42s! That is 2 minutes faster than my last half marathon (and I ran this one with a chest cold)!

We stayed on the Queen Mary Saturday night, which was a lot of fun. We had dinner on the ship and a late night banana split to be sure that I had enough carbs to run today! We went back to the Queen Mary after the race where I took my Ice Bath (I ordered 20 lbs of ice from room service, and they delivered)!

I have to admit that I feel a lot better after this race than I did the last time. I am not as stiff or sleepy. I must say that all of the training is worth the fun and feeling of accomplishment that a race provides.

Franny Runs - Sick Today

Well I have a dandy of an infection. It is in my ears, throat and chest. I am coughing, sneezing and can hardly hear. I have three days until the Long Beach marathon. Ugh! I need to get over this quick, or I will be walking the half marathon!

I am resting until Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to run then. I do not expect to beat my last time with this infection. But it will be a lot of fun to complete. It is a great route along the shoreline of Long Beach and up to the bow of the Queen Mary!

Franny Runs - Week Seventeen!

My seventeenth week of running. Hmmm...how do I feel. I seem to be running slower now than a month ago, but I am adding more mile now that I am training for a full marathon. I am now running 25 miles a week compared to 15 miles a month ago. The added miles take some getting used to, so I hear. That is ok, to me it is not about speed but endurance. I want to be able to complete the full marathon (26.2 miles) with as little walking as possible.

This weekend I will be running in the Long Beach Marathon. I am only doing the half marathon (13.1 miles). It is actually a part of my training program, or I should say it fits in well with the training program. Instead of running my long run with my group, I will do the marathon.

I am still in love with running and am anxious to see how well I do a year from now. I have to remember that I am 45 years old and just beginning my running career!

Franny Runs - Week Sixteen!

Week sixteen and the miles are piling up. I figure I have run a little over 500 miles by now. Hee hee. Could have be to Vegas by now. I seem to be running slower each week though. I think I am having problems keeping up with the nutrition. I can not get enough calories in when I do the long runs.

This week I will run 24 miles. We do our first Double Digit run Saturday with my TNT group. In two weeks I run 13.1 again in the Long Beach Marathon. Looking forward to that.

I am just having fun!

Franny Runs - Week Fifteen

Wow I am on week fifteen of running. It seems like yesterday that I started this lunacy! No I actually really love it. I was just talking to a co worker who said she can tell the days I do not run, I am not in as good a mood as the days that I do run. Interesting.

Well I found out yesterday that my surgery has been approved. I hope it is scheduled soon. I do not want to miss too much of my training of the Marathon in January. I figure I will be out for about 4 weeks from running. I will walk instead to keep up my miles. I still have plenty of time to make up what I miss.

I seem to be running slower. I guess that is because the miles are ramping up. I am running about 25 miles a week now. That is up about 10 miles from the past. I also noticed that I am not sweating as much. I think this is a sign of dehydration. I am going to try to get in more fluids in my day. It is so hard to eat enough to keep up with the calories I am burning, and now drink enough to keep up with my sweat! Oh well it is a learning process.

Frannyp Runs Week Fourteen - Long Run!

I ran with my TNT team this morning in Irvine. We ran 7 miles. I was able to finish, but went really slow. I am not feeling so good today. I think I may be coming down with a cold or something. I hope not, I can not afford the time to recover.

Today, Sunday is rest day. I am relaxing and maybe take the dog for a walk later.

Franny Runs - Week Fourteen Day Three

Ran 6 miles today. It is weird that the 6 miles today felt shorter than the 2 miles yesterday. Hmmm. I have to keep reminding myself that only 14 weeks ago I had trouble running for 2 minutes at a time. Today I ran for 1 hour and 12 minutes! I guess I have come a long way in 14 weeks.

I really love it. I am now at a point where I get a lot of thinking and planing done on my runs. I am thinking of more than just how am I going to take my next breath!

Franny Runs - Week Fourteen!

Wow! I am on week fourteen of running! I am not having a good week though. Had a colonoscopy on Monday so my 6 mile run on Tuesday was really slow! But at least I was able to get through it.

I am still in need of support for my January Marathon for Leukemia. If you feel the need to support those with blood cancers please feel free to sponsor me!

I will be running with my Team In Training group on Saturday, we are doing 7 miles! I just really love the running, it is making me healthier, I can tell. In fact when they hooked me up to the heart monitor on Monday my heart rate was 48! It used to be 110 when I was heavy.

Thanks to all of my friends and family for your support!

It is Week 13!

I am in week 13 of running! WooHoo! It is now habit I think. It feels like it, cause i sure miss it when I can not run.

Franny Runs - Back on Track!

I was able to run 5 miles pain free today and at a good pace. I am very excited. I am still icing the knee just to be safe. I am also doing a lot of exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee.

It is just so nice to be out an running again.

This is week 12 or is it 13? I will have to check my calendar.

Franny Runs - First Injury Recovering!

I was able to run 3 miles today pain free! That makes me so happy. It has really been depressing not being able to run for a whole week. Yikes, you would think that I was some sort of athlete or something! Hee Hee, I just have fallen in love with running. I guess it is because I could never do it before, and now it is happening!

Tomorrow I run 5 miles and 6 miles on Saturday. I am like a kid at Christmas, I just can't wait to get out there and do the miles! What a dork I am. But it makes Franny happy! And that is what matters right?

Franny Runs - First Injury!

Well I am off for a couple weeks with a knee injury. It is very painful to run on my left knee. I was told to not run for a couple weeks. I am supposed to do "pool running". So that is what I am doing to strengthen the leg muscles.

I am also looking at the possibility of having surgery on my abdomen. It seems there is something there that is causing all of the pain I have been having. I see a specialist tomorrow and then they will decided to do a surgery or not.

Ugh, that will be another couple weeks off of running.

Franny Finishes Disney Half Marathon!

Well I did it! I ran the Disney Half Marathon today. It was a really fun race! 13.1 miles and I enjoyed each one. My goal was to finish in under 3 hours. My time was: 02:58:56! Is that close or what!

I ran the race in honor of my mother. She passed 19 years ago from complications of heart disease and diabetes. Her last words to me where "Don't get heavy again!" Well I am finally heeding those words. I lost 117lbs in the last year and a half and now that I am running I will keep them off plus! I now that she would have been very proud to see me cross that finish line. The pants that I am holding in the picture are the ones I wore a year and a half ago. They are a reminder of where I have come from and where I will never return!

So what about the race...I have never seen so many people I think they said there were about 9,000 runners and walkers. It was amazing. The beginning of the race went through California Adventure and Disneyland Theme Parks. It was really crowded and hard to run at any decent pace. I kept running into walkers. Once out of the parks and onto the streets we where able to establish a pace. Along the way where marching bands, cheer teams and others cheering us on. It was really neat to see people cheering on strangers in our quest for personal bests. By mile 8 I was feeling pretty sore. My muscles were starting to cramp. I stopped to stretch and that helped. At mile 10 I started to walk more than run. I walked almost all of mile 11 so that I would be able to run the last mile to the finish line. When I hit the finish line and saw my sister standing there cheering me on, I started to bawl. Mom was on my mind and in my heart...this race was for her!

I am so happy to have such good friends and family that came out to support me. Thanks to Nette, my sister Terri, Mel, Trish, Vinnie and Robin for being there for me! Thanks for getting up at the crack of dawn on your holiday weekend to cheer me on. It meant so much to me words can't convey the love in my heart for each of you! Thanks again.

Franny Runs - Disney Half Marathon Week!

Week 11 of running! It is my first big race this week. On Sunday I will be running in the Disney Half Marathon. I am really excited. I ran 5 miles today and run 4 tomorrow and then rest the rest of the week. This way supposedly I will be ready to run on Sunday!

I am also getting ready for the big full marathon in Phoenix in January. I am running to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! I would love for any of you reading this to help out and sponsor me!

Franny Runs Week Ten

Ten weeks into running and I just love it! In fact, when I know I will not be running the next day, I am a little sad. Like right now, tomorrow is my cross train day, so no running, I am a little bummed. I think I will try to ride my bike in the morning. If I wake up on time. I have felt a little tired lately. I think that what ever is wrong with my gut is draining me of my energy. I have an upper GI next friday to hopefully figure out what is going on.

Only 1 1/2 weeks to my first Half Marathon. I can't wait! It is going to be fun.

Franny Runs Week Nine Long Run

Today was my longest run before the race. I was supposed to run 12 miles. I picked out my course by mapping it out on google maps. I ran from my house to El Toro, to Trabuco to San Canyon and back. That was supposed to be a little over 12 miles. Well I wound up being 14.5 miles! Ugh. I ran it with a 11:45 pace. I did a lot of walking on the return. I wore me out and the first time I got cramps in my legs.

I need to get more rest and more carbs before my long runs. After the run I took an ice bath for about 15 minutes. That made my muscles feel much better. I have 2 weeks to my first half marathon. And now I know I can do the miles!

Franny Runs - Week Nine

This is the beginning of my ninth week of running. I feel great! I ran four miles with a 10:45 pace, that is 5.6 miles per hour. Hee hee.

I was ready my first post on this blog today and am amazed at how far I have come so far:

"It took me 57:01:16 to complete the 3 miles. I used a 5 minute walk to a 2 minute run interval. I think that I was running in the Twilight Zone though. It just amazes me that 2 minutes is so much longer than 5 minutes! I still have the issue of breathing."

Wow I look at that and am very happy at my progress. I have a ways to go, but I know I can do nothing but improve.

Franny Runs Losing Weight!

Today was a short run only 3 miles. Wow never thought I would say "only" three miles! Hee hee. I ran my fastest pace today as well. I ran a 10:45 pace. Maybe I will get to a 10:00 pace by the time I run my first race.

Well I started losing weight finally. I have lost 6 pounds in the last couple weeks. I was bummed the first six weeks of my training because I did not lose an ounce. Now I have finally lost something. If only the skin would tighten up I would be rally happy!

Franny Runs Week Eight Long Run

Well I never in my life thought I would be able to say this. I ran eight miles today without stopping. WOW! I ran for 80 minutes straight. Eight weeks ago, I would have never thought. I am just amazed at what my body can do. I guess it just takes a little determination, willpower, and guts!

Next weekend is the big run before my Half Marathon. I will do 12 miles on Sunday. I just know I can do it!

Franny Runs - Week Eight Day Two

Today I ran the entire route. It was a 4 mile route (4.86 actually). I ran it in 53:22 for a 10:58 pace! My best pace yet. I broke the 11:00 barrier. I figured if I did not do the walking my pace would be better, but I did not think it would be below 11:00. I am happy with that. I would sure love to get to a 10:00 mile. I guess that may come with time. I just need to be patient.

I weighed myself this morning and have lost another pound. That make 4 pounds now. That feels good, since I feel healthy and strong as well.

4 weeks to my first 1/2 marathon! Can't wait.

Franny Runs - Week Eight

Well here we are in week 8! Never thought I would get this far. I noticed that I am truly a runner now...last night I was so excited that I would be able to get out and run this morning. It was like Christmas Eve as a kid! Never thought that I would be excited about do any kind of exercise.

This mornings run was nice too. I am getting to the point that I can day dream and think when I am running. My pace is still getting faster. I ran a 11.24 mile today at 5.2 mph. I think I will be able to break the 11:00 pace by my first 1/2 marathon on August 31st. Only four weeks to the big day!

Franny Runs Week Seven Long Run

I had a nice 7 mile run this morning. I did it with a 11:34 pace. That is my best pace for a long run. I am surprised that I was able to maintain that speed. On Friday I spent the evening in the hospital with extreme pain in my abdomen. My doctor thought that I might have Appendicitis. Turned out to be a big ovary. Now I have to have that looked into. I did not eat but 2 bites of food and very little drink. I was really week when I got home at 11:30 that evening. I could hardly walk from the car to the house. I lost 4 pounds friday and have not yet put it back on. I guss that is ok, because I do feel much better. The pain is not nearly as bad as it was on Friday, but it is still there.

Franny Runs Week Seven

Well I made it to week seven! I sure did not want to get up this morning to run. It was the first morning that I did not want to get up and run. I usually am looking forward to running the night before. But I forced myself out of bed and did the run. I am glad I did, I feel so much better now.

I weighed myself this evening, and I have lost 2 pounds. Finally some weight loss! The image here is my first race with a picture of me before I started my Weight Loss Surgery Process. I feel the need to not lose sight of where I came from and to be sure I never return!

Dream Team 5k

Another race, a 5k in Yorba Linda. Ugh! It was 80 degrees out and uphill! But I still did it in 38 minutes, a 12:00 pace. I walked up most of the hills, and ran down on the other side! I really enjoy doing my short runs each week as a race. It is too bad there are not any more until after my first 1/2 Marathon on August 31st.

I am running to support Leukemia. I will be running in the P.F Changs Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in January. Please help the cause and sponsor me!

Franny Runs Week Six - Long Run

I did my long run this week on Friday as I will be in another 5k tomorrow. That will be my short run for the week. I was a little slow today. I felt good, just could not get the engine going. I had a little diarrhea yesterday so maybe I was a little dehydrated. Thats ok, I will save it for the race tomorrow.

I have signed up for the TNT Team in Training program to race in the PF Changs Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in January in Arizona. I will be raising money for Lukemia. Here is my site if you feel you would like to support me and the cause.
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/pfchangs09/fprisco

This will be a full marathon, yes 26.2 miles!

Franny Runs - Week Six Day Two

Wow already at six weeks of running. I was a little tired this morning, but I still got through my 5 miles and at 2 minutes shorter time. My pace was 11:48, a little slower than the race last week, but faster for this 5 mile route.

I am getting comfortable with running now. It is almost feeling natural. I am actually beginning to think of other things while I run; not just my heart beats and breathing!

I am looking forward to the day when I can just run the whole route. I am still doing an 8 minute run and 2 minute walk interval. I just do not want to push it too hard and then get discouraged. I need to work on breathing, I want to go faster, but I just can not get in enough breathe. I think I need to do some breathing exercises.

Franny Runs - Week Six

Well here we are beginning week six of running. I ran 7 miles today before work. It is hard to get that much in before going to the office. I was out at 5:45! It is cold and dark then. I did an 11:45 pace. Slower than in the past, but I am happy with the pace.

I have another race this week on Saturday. A 5k in Yorba Linda. I like doing the races as my short runs, they are a fun way to get my running in, and a good rehearsal for race day.

Race 2 Magic Shoe 5000

Ran in my second race today. It was in Irvine by the spectrum. It was really fun. I shaved 4 minutes off my last 5k time. I ran a 11:21 pace. This my fastest pace yet. The race was loaded with teens, so I came in towards the end of the race. Who cares, I had a Personal Best! I decided to do another 5k next sunday in Yorba Linda. It works out well, because sundays are my short runs after my long ones on saturdays.

I was really happy to have Anette there to support me in my race. She is my official photographer, getting the pictures of me crossing the finish line. I just need to learn to be more photogenic!

After this week, I start week 6 of my training. I do not see any sign of skin tightening yet. In fact my loose skin seems to be even looser. But I do notice a strengthening of my muscles.

Frannyp Runs Week Five - Long Run

Did 9.74 miles today at a 11:56 pace. I tried to run slow, thinking I was going at a 13:00 pace, but I guess I was doing better than expected. The last mile was tough today. My muscles where burning. It may have been from my massage yesterday. My massage therapist, Michael Epstein, is the best. He not only gives me the be massages, but gives me tips about running posture, exercises and how to stretch. He was a little brutal with me yesterday, I guess it was a Sport Massage. But I feel good today!

So as I was running along today this tight bodied, young woman went sprinting by and gave me a look like "is that as fast as you can go?" Ugh! She went wizzing by me and all I could think of was how pathetic I must look. Then it hit me "45 and never run before", "45 and never run before", "45 and never run before"...I'll get over this...NOT! Well I finished my 9.74 miles and yes I did get over it, because one and a half years ago and 115 lbs heavier, I would have never thought of even walking a mile!

Franny Runs - Week Five Cross Train

Well for my cross train this week I decided to ride the 10 miles to my sisters house (one way) and back for a total of 20 miles. Oh Boy! What was I thinking? I got to her house no problem. We went and had dinner with our cousin and at about 7pm I decided to take the ride home. Ugh! Half way through I was DONE. My thighs were burning my head was pounding, but I continued. About 1/2 mile later the paranoid dilutions began. All I could think about was getting attacked and not being able to defend myself. I saw visions of my naked dead body laying in the field I was riding next to. Where did those thoughts come from? Is that delirium?

Well by 8:25 I finally made it. I got in the house, kissed my dog and collapsed!

Today I feel better, just a little sore.

Franny Runs - Week Five Day Two

I just keep getting faster every day! Today I only ran 3 miles, but at a 11:43 pace. That is my fastest pace yet. At the rate I am going, I may be at a 10:00 by the time I run my first 1/2 marathon.

It is still hard to get by breath when I run faster though. I think that I am trying to go at the same pace even up the hills. I need to work on some breathing exercises.

Franny Runs - Week Five

Wow week five! I am still running and enjoying it. It is really weird, on my rest days I just do not know what to do with myself. I want to get out there! It is such a sense of freedom, knowing that I can go out and RUN for 3, 4, 5 even 9 miles at a time! WOW!

Today I ran 5 miles in 1:06:00. It was an 11:54 pace. That is my best time yet. i seem to get a little faster each week. Now I am actually running at a running speed! Not a fast walk speed. I feel a lot better, it is coming to be more natural.

Franny Runs Week Four - 8 mile run

Well my 8 mile run wound up being 9.9 miles. Opps! I ran my 4 mile route twice, guess my 4 mile route is over 4 miles. Anyway I did it at a 12:14 pace or in 2 hours. So that is almost the whole half marathon in 2 hours. I guess I will be able to finish the half marathon in 3 hours. I am really surprised that I do not feel really awful after going so long. I actually feel pretty good.

I wore a tank top for the first time today. I had a lot of stares at me. I must have looked really weird with my "bread dough" arms a flappin in the wind! Oh well, it was much cooler and comfortable. Maybe one day I will be able to wear just the sprots bra and shorts...and maybe not!

Franny Runs - Week Four Day Two

Did only 3 miles today. I don't think when I started this venture that I would ever say "Only 3 miles"! But that was all my training program called for. I had a 12:08 pace today. I should be able to break the 12:00 pace by next week. I would love to get to a 10:00 pace by the time I run my first Half Marathon on August 31.

I was really tired yesterday. I think I need to take a serious look at my nutrition. The "books" show that I burned 700 cals. on my run yesterday, that is almost what I take in in a day. I can probably get in about 1100 cals in a day. I think I will have to speak to a nutritionist about it.

Franny Runs - Week Four

Today is the first day of week four in my training for the half marathon on August 31. I ran 6 miles and had a 12:22 pace. WOW! I was so excited to get to a 13:00 mile, now I am almost at a 12:00 mile! Guess it is time to re-evaluate my goals. I think I will strive for a 11:00 mile and hope for 10:00!

Happy 4th of July!

Well my first race! Buddy and I ran the Lake Forest 5k today. It was a whole lot of fun. Lots of people, dogs, kids...it was a hoot. We did good. We finished under 40 minutes. I can't wait for the next race. I think I am going to like this running thing.



Yesterday for my cross train I rode my bike from Bird-B-Gone in Lake Forest to my sisters in Irvine about 12 miles. It was actually really fun. The only bad part was my butt was numb by the time I got their. I think I need to look into a new seat!

Tomorrows training is 7 miles! Need to get a good nights sleep!

Franny Runs - Week Three Day Two

Well today "I ran the whole thing"! I ran 3 miles straight! I didn't run fast, but I ran the complete 3 miles. It felt really good, I feel I have made a big accomplishment. Two years ago I would have never thought I could run for 3 miles. I could barely walk down the street. I guess I am just upset that it took me until I am 45 years old to get fit!

Franny Runs - Week Three

Week three! I am getting faster! I cut 80 sec off my mile pace. I did a 13:23 min. mile pace today on my 5 mile run.

It is weird, because I felt like I was going really slow, but I guess I am fatigued because I am running faster.

Franny Runs Week Two 4 Mile Training Run

I thought I was running in slow motion today. I am a bit dehydrated from too much sun at the Club Mom picnic yesterday. I felt very sluggish, and it was hard to complete. But when I got home, and checked my stats from my run... I had done a 14 minute mile.

I have already found a benefit to the running. Last night I took my blood pressure, it was 110/68! That is the lowest my "natural" blood pressure has ever been. You see before my gastric bypass surgery and when I weighed 275 lbs, my pressure was 147/95. Wow what a difference and in only two weeks of running.

I guess there is some benefit to all this madness.

Franny Runs Week Two Long Run

It is Saturday and my long run day. Today we added a mile and I went for 6 miles. I ran 70% of it with a 7 minute Run / 3 minute Walk interval. It is getting much easier to do the 7 minute runs. In fact, today I ran through the 3 minute walk several times.

I need to get serious about the training though. I need to get more sleep on the nights before a run, especially the long runs. I only got 5 hours last night and that was not enough. My six mile run was doing my 3 mile route twice...when I ran past the house the first time, my feet where veering off to the front door and back to bed! But I pushed through it and finished the 6 miles. I had a 15:00 pace. A little slower than my 5 mile pace. I need more sleep!

Tomorrow is only 4 miles...who would have ever thought that I would ever say "only 4 miles"!

Franny Runs - Week Two, Day Two

Knocked some more time off my run today. The 7 minute run intervals are getting easier. I do not labor to breath anymore. I think that I will soon be able to run the whole 5 miles.

Today was my paranoid day. I was running along and this white van pulled up next to me, stopped, and waited until I was right next to it and the doors opened. I kinda freaked and was ready to go into "Moo Gong Do" mode (the martial arts I have trained in)! Well it turned out two women got out and closed the back door of the van. Ugh! It seems my fathers attitude has rubbed off on me. When I told him I was starting to run in the mornings, instead of saying, "well good luck honey I hope you do well", he says " look out for the crazy people!".

I did get 2 honks today! Not sure though if they where honks of appreciation, or "Lady yikes get off the road with those saggy thighs and giggly arms!".

I am really happy that I am feeling a lot better and see some progress in my training. I can do this, I know I can!

Franny Runs - Week Two

Felt good this morning. I did 5 miles, with a 7 min. Run / 3 min. Walk interval. The 7 min runs where much easier today! I used my iPod today for the first time. What a difference it made to run to the music. I did not even think about my breathlessness or fatigue, I just Rock & Rolled to the music. It made the run seem faster and a lot more fun!

I did a 14.58 pace. I want to get to a 10 minute pace before my first half marathon. I have 2 months of training before that. I think I can do it.

This is probably one of the first "physical" things I have done that I still am excited about after the first week! I want this to be a part of the rest of my life. Lets hope my "Old Lady" body holds up!

Franny Runs - Week One Down!

Wow! I have finished week one of my running career! I made it. Lets see how many miles did I log on the shoes so far...25 miles! Yikes at that rate I will have to get another pair in a couple of months. They say you need new shoes every 500 miles. They are the "tires" of running. So why do they not have a 50,000 mile life?

I ran for 5 miles today ( run-7 min. / walk-3 min.) I cut 4 minutes off my time and averaged 14:00 minutes per mile. That is cool I guess. I want to get to a 10:00 mile pace before my first half marathon.

As I was running today, I was dreaming of the time when I can just walk out the door and start running for 5 miles without walking and not even think about it! I wonder how long that will take? I need to remember this is only week one, I have already cut 1 mile/hour off my pace and 4 minutes off my 5 mile time. Baby Steps! Relax and take Baby Steps!

Race Schedule

Here is a list of the races that I am registered for:

07/04/08 Lake Forest 5k finish time: 42:40:78
07/20/08 Magic Shoe 5000 5k
08/31/08 Disney Half Marathon
09/07/08 Team Cam Race to Walk 5k
09/28/08 Race for the Cure 5k
10/12/08 Long Beach Half Marathon
10/18/08 Huntington Beach Distance Durby (10 miles)
11/02/08 US Half Marathon (San Francisco)
01/10/09 Southern California Half Marathon
02/01/09 Surf City Half Marathon (Huntington Beach)

I would love to have supporters at the finish lines! If you are interested in cheering me on let me know!

Franny Runs - Day Five

Ugh! It was tough today. Third day in a row of running at 5:30 AM. My legs did not want to get in the groove. This was the first day I questioned myself "what are you doing?" I did an interval of run 7 minutes, walk 3 minutes. It was tough to get through the 7 minute runs. The motivator was, I looked down at my thighs while I was running and they didn't look half bad! Now if they could look like that when I am standing still I would be happy!

Tomorrow is rest day and then I will cross train on Saturday in the mountains where we are camping. I will take a long walk in the altitude, it should be good for my breathing and heart!

Not as tired today. It is still easy to get out of bed at 5 AM and get ready to run!

Franny Runs - Day Four

Today I ran/walked for 5 miles. My interval was 6 minutes run to 4 minutes walk. It was ok, my knees are starting to feel it though. I made the mistake of going the wrong way on the route and hit some hills in the end of the run. They where quite a challenge. Tomorrow we go the other way!

I did mess up a bit, with my limited hearing, I did not hear my alarm for my interval change and ran for a 12 minute interval. I thought wow this is a long six minutes! Yes it was! Well that tells me that when I get to the 10 minute run point next week, I should be able to make it!

I figure I ran for a total of 47 minutes today. I am proud of that.

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 1:19:50
Interval: Run-6 min, Walk-4 min.

Franny Runs - Day Three

So today we added a mile and added a minute per interval of running. I went for 4 miles with 5 minutes walking to 5 minutes of running. The running seems to be getting easier. When the timer goes off after my running interval, I feel like I can continue. I like that. I hope it lasts.

Buddy and I left the house at 5:20am. Yes, Buddy was up and ready to go! It was amazing though, we had to stop three times for him to poop! Yikes, where does that little dog keep all that poop?

I think he is getting the hang of it.

I was surprised to see so many people out this morning doing their running and walking. It is really cool that I am not alone. A little distracting to see these young girls running along singing to their iPods shouting good morning, as this 45 year old body goes laboring by grunting out a "mornin". UGH, to be young again.

Rest Day!

Today is rest day. I feel guilty, like I should be doing something. But my legs are sore from my first two days. I am looking forward to tomorrow. I get to add a mile to my route and add another minute of running to my intervals.

I just think it will be a big accomplishment to be able to run 10 minutes at a time! I should be there next week.

I have decided to run the 2008 Orange County Race for the Cure. I hope you will support me in this. Here is the link to sponsor me: http://www.ockomen.org/race/frannyp. I appreciate any help you can give!

Franny Runs Day Two

Wow I did it again! I went for three miles Walk/Run. Today we increased the running to 4 minutes and 5 minutes walking. I was excited that I found my PACE today. I found the pace that I can run and not gasp for air. It is not much faster than my walk speed, but that will improve.

I think that my main goal right now is to work up to running for 3 miles or the 5k distance. I will get there by increasing my running time and decreasing my walking time with every workout.

Today Buddy, my dog and 5k partner managed to get his lazy but out of bed and train with me. It took a lot of trickery to get him up. He though he was getting a "cookie", but he was actually going for a "big walk"!

Tomorrow is rest day, then we are going to try to run at 5:30 each morning to get it done before work. We will see what happens. I increase my running to 5 minutes next workout.

Type: Walk/Run
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 57:19:06
Interval: 5 min Walk / 4 min Run

Franny Runs Day One - After the Workout!

Ok I made it! My first 3 mile run walk.

I doned my Asics Gel Nimbus shoes ($120.00), my new Timex Triathlon Watch ($59.00), my short running shorts (yes short!) and technical shirt ($40.00) and don't forget the all important sports bra ($45.00). Yikes who thought getting into shape could be so expensive. Well I guess it beats plastic surgery to firm up the thighs, legs and tummy!

So you are asking how did the run go.

I made it didn't I? It actually was a little better than expected. It took me 57:01:16 to complete the 3 miles. I used a 5 minute walk to a 2 minute run interval. I think that I was running in the Twilight Zone though. It just amazes me that 2 minutes is so much longer than 5 minutes! I still have the issue of breathing. During my running, it just seems really difficult to get enough air into these I think it is time to look for some breathing exercises.

As I was on my 3 mile route I thought can I really work up to running the entire 3 miles? Oh did I forget to mention that I am running the July 4th 5k? That gives me 3 weeks to get to running a full 3 miles. Well it is a 5k Run/Walk!

Type: Run/Walk
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 57:01:16
Interval: 5 min Walk / 2 min Run

Franny Runs Day One

Let me give you some background about me. All of my life I have battle weight. I was the pudgy kid in class. I could never run like the others. I could never seem to get enough air in my lungs to do it. I would always get into trouble in gym class for giving up. So I finally just started ditching gym and going to the girls bathroom to smoke with my friends!

Last year, January 31, 2007, I took control of the weight issue and had Gastric Bypass surgery. Since then I have lost 117 pounds...and feel great! I have a ton more energy and feel like I can do about anything I put my mind to!

Well after living a sedentary life for the past 45 years...I have decided to make a dream come true...to become a runner!

Well today is the first day of my serious running training. I am training first for a 5k on the 4th of July, and then a 1/2 Marathon on August 31st. I am going to Walk/Run 3 miles this morning. I will be back in about 1 hour and let you know how it went!