March 21, 2013

New ActiveLink goal

I've been going to bed earlier and earlier each day, and it's getting a little ridiculous! Last night, I went to bed at 8:15 to read my book, but I was so tired that I only read a few pages before I just went to sleep. I've been waking up earlier and earlier, too, so it's not like I'm sleeping more. If the treadmill wouldn't wake the boys, I'd get my run done at 5:00 in the morning, but my kids sleep as lightly as I do.

While I was getting the kids ready for school this morning, I was surprised to hear a knock on the door. My dad, who usually comes over in the mornings to walk with the kids to the bus stop, told me that he wouldn't be here this morning. When I answered the door, I was excited to see that it was my brother Brian! He flew in from Minnesota late last night, and he was leaving at 10 this morning, so he wanted to walk the kids to the bus stop. They thought that was pretty cool ;)

Brian read my dilemma about my race shirt quilt on my blog (the dilemma being that I'm too scared to do the quilting), and it turns out that his girlfriend Becky's mom does quilting. She has a long-arm quilting machine, and she said she'd do the quilting part for me!

Brian said if I wanted, I could even fly out there to do it myself, but I am so broke right now that even with a buddy pass, I really can't afford to. Anyway, I have to buy the fabric to back the quilt and the batting for inside. Brian will be back in town in a couple of weeks, so he can bring it home with him then.

I chatted with Brian a little after the kids left, and then I ate breakfast and got dressed to run on the treadmill. I wasn't even tempted to run outside this morning, because the wind was SO COLD. Besides, I wanted to watch another Sons of Anarchy episode ;)

I was feeling a little cocky about my pace because of my awesome race on Sunday, and I set the treadmill at 7.5 mph (an 8:00/mi pace). Yeah, um, that only lasted about a half-mile, before I slowed it down to 7.2 (8:20/mi). I bumped it up again at the last half-mile, just to get it done. Then I stopped my Garmin and just walked for a half-mile or so.

When I uploaded my run, I saw a cool trend in my pace since October...

My average pace was 10:30/mi in October, and each month it got faster--for March, the average is 8:24! It's amazing how quickly I improved with some hard work on my part.


When I plugged in my ActiveLink this morning, it told me that I've been averaging 143% of my activity goal. It suggested that I change my goal to earning 7 PointsPlus per day (as opposed to 6). That seemed like a lot! I have a really hard time getting in enough activity on the days that I don't run, and I usually fall short. This is what the week looked like as far as PP earned, and how close I was to my goal of 6 PP per day:


The shaded gray area at the bottom is my baseline, which is the activity that I have to do everyday, and I don't earn any PP for it. Once I meet the required amount of activity to reach my baseline, I start earning PP for all of my movement. The gray line marks my goal, which was 6 PP per day.

Wednesday and Saturday were my rest days, and the only way I got as much activity as I did was from walking. On Mondays, I do intervals, and that only works out to be two miles--so that day was rather low as well.

I went ahead and changed the goal. I'm hoping the weather is going to actually feel like spring soon, and I'll be much more motivated to go for walks outside. The past few days have been unbearably cold! It's actually snowing right now--totally disheartening for being the second day of spring.

Anyway, by changing my goal, it's going to increase up to my earning 9 PP per day in about 9 more weeks. That will be perfect to get me motivated to move a lot in the summer. Also, I'll be marathon training, so with the long runs each week, I'm sure I'll hit that target. I think I might pick a week in the summer to try and earn 100 PointsPlus in a week--that's a very lofty goal!


I was recently interviewed by Jenn from Girl Heroes--while I have to disagree that I qualify as a "hero", here is the link to check out my interview :)


23 comments:

  1. That's awesome about your pace! I can't wait to get under a 12 min mile! I just got my fastest treadmill 5K in 38:45 last week and I ran 2.25 miles straight for the first time at at 5.0 mph! It's so awesome seeing progress! :)

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  2. 100 PointsPlus is a lofty goal but you're on the right track.
    We are all pulling for you and know you can do it. Good Luck!

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  3. Hi, quick question from a binge eater who is ready to change (again!) I am now a SAHM and need to know how you keep healthy while your kids are gone and the house is empty. Do you stay out of the house, or do things at home to stay busy? That time and nighttime are treacherous for me!

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    Replies
    1. I try to stay as busy as I can. In the mornings after putting the boys on the bus, I run, shower, eat breakfast, do some chores around the house. Then I eat lunch, and usually work on my blog in the afternoon. The day passes really quickly!

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  4. Hi! I read your blog every day - since when are you planning for another marathon this summer? Did I miss that in a post somewhere? Which marathon and do you have any goals for this one? I love reading about your speed training - despite reaching half marathon distance, I've been stuck at a 10:30 pace for years. Maybe someday I'll have a breakthrough like you did :)
    - Katie

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    1. Yes, I wrote about it recently--I'm going to do the Chicago Marathon on October 13 :) I'm not running for my own goals--I'm just running with my friend Andrea, who has never run a marathon before, so I'll be running at her pace. I'm just going along to keep her company!

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  5. Great job on the pace! I can't wait til I get to where I'm able to say I have a 8:24 pace. I'm not even sure what mine is, but I'm definitely hoping to get faster. Have a wonderful evening :)

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  6. I, too, am at a 10:30 pace. My shorter distance runs (3 miles or less) are usually faster, but I'd love to get to running longer distances FASTER. What do you think has helped you gain speed? Is it that you've lost weight? Aside from just running faster (duh), what have you done to consciously work on your pace?

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    1. It's honestly just been running faster... I know that sounds so obvious, but I run every run at a tempo pace (pushing myself a little harder than "easy" pace). I try to beat my previous times for that distance. I wrote a post about it here: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2012/11/on-starting-to-run-and-running-faster.html

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  7. I also read everyday and it's so awesome to see your progression! I know you have gotten a lot faster but it's really cool to see it laid out that way. I am starting running again after having a lot of IT band trouble last year before my first 5k and my pace is around 11:15, it gives me hope seeing that I could go far in the next 6 months if I put my mind to it. Thanks!

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  8. You are absolutely a hero in my eyes and I know in other people's too! :-) I'm also amazed that you ran 7.5 mi/hr for a half a mile! I'm an not a runner and 6 mi/hr is super challenging for me! That is really sweet that your dad walks your kids to the bus and what a fun surprise to see your brother instead. Family is the best. (Most of the time. ;-))

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  9. Awesome job with your pace. It goes to show hard work goes a long ways! :)

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  10. Your being down to earth, your humble attitude...makes you so much more than a hero.
    Well you are my hero. Started this journey once I stumbled upon your blog.

    I have a question for you Katie and anyone who can answer.
    I have to attend about 4 social gathering starting Saturday. They are all dinner parties, weddings etc.
    My Mil and Sil will be with me but I will not know how to ignore the food.
    I plan to eat and go as I know every food will be loaded with calories.
    Iam in a rut as, I dont want to sabotage my weightloss.


    Also~ Katie I have twin boys aged 7.5.
    They have been giving me such a hard time.
    But I got this idea after reading your blog post...that I should individually give them their special day each.:)
    Love you Katie ..xoxo♥

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    Replies
    1. I actually wrote all about that in my FAQ's--hopefully that will help! :)

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  11. Any advice as to how to get faster?

    I just can't seem to get below a 10 min mile...

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    Replies
    1. I wrote a post about it recently, which you can find here: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2012/11/on-starting-to-run-and-running-faster.html

      I really just started pushing myself during each run (not super hard, but faster than an "easy" pace).

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  12. I totally think you're a hero!!! You inspire me every day! I am trying to lose baby weight and just some extra weight adding up to 50 lbs that I still want to lose. So far I've only lost 12, but I'm working on it and your blog helps me!

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  13. Hey Good Morning! I might have a solution, especially if you are tight on money right now!, for your quilt batting. That stuff can get steep! My mom quilts alot, and when we are looking for batting, we run down the salvation army or good will and snag one of their "comforters" (the big poofy blankets) and use that as our batting! All we do is wash the thing first. Good luck with your new active link goal!
    Chels

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  14. I agree with the other comments, you are a hero in my eyes and such an inspiration! I found your blog a few months ago and truly enjoy reading it every day. I haven't gone through the archives, so perhaps you've already addressed this question. If not, I'd love for you to do a post on how you are increasing your running pace. The improvement you've made since last October is AMAZING to me.

    Thanks -- kelly :-)

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  15. You're a hero to me. I find my brain thinking of things and ideas you've shared when I find myself struggling. I binge too so I can relate there as well.

    I'm excited...today is my last assessment day with the ActiveLink so I can finally start tracking that.

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  16. You are a hero. Soak it in girl

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  17. Wow, your monthly stats are amazing and inspiring! You rock!!

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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