Another Heart Rate Monitor - Should I?

Well I need some advice regarding heart rate monitors.  My running buddies all have Garmins but they all say it is very difficult to use.  My best running buddy is even a techy with a master degree in computer science, and she said it is very complicated.  I think they have this model:

I myself, am addicted to the Nike GPS app on my IPhone.  However, it doesn't have a heart rate monitor.  So I picked up one from Costco, a New Balance, a very basic one.  It works good, was easy for me to set up so while I run, my Nike app is mapping my route, keeping track of my pace, miles and time, and my New Balance $39.00 watch is keeping track of my heart rate.  However, I would love to have it all in one place while still using my Nike GPS.  Question - does Nike offer that accessory for my IPhone?  If anyone knows, please let me know.

     In the meantime, I have been considering buying a Garmin.  Not the deluxe one shown above, but this one:

Because, it says, it's easy to use right out of the box.  I could use it while using my Nike App.  What do you think?  Should I splurge and spend the $200 bucks for this model and ditch my NB watch?  I want to integrate all my feedback from my runs.  Does it cost money to upload your feedback to Garmin?  

     If anyone has any feedback - I would love to hear what your thoughts are regarding the Garmin.  I also have the Digit Fit system - but I use that on my Spinning bike.  I'm really stuck on the Nike Running app and love to see how my miles add up each month, week, day, etc. 

      Help!  Please - any thoughts on this stuff?  Take care - and have a great Tuesday!

Golf Anyone?

     I am so glad it's Monday, I get to rest today.  Saturday morning I met up with my beginning women's running group, we are staying in touch and our coach, the best, is helping us transition so we can run the Rockville 8K in mid July and will continue with us till the 10K program starts in August.  She meets up with us on Saturday morning and we meet at 7:00 AM.  So I had to leave the house by 6:30 which means I had to get up at 4:30.  Yikes, on a Saturday!  Way to early.

     We ran a route that had the "Silencer" - a hill so big no one can talk because you are grasping for air the whole time.  About 20 of us showed up which was so nice to see everyone since we completed our 5K.  Next week's Saturday run will be on the Capital Crescent Trail and breakfast afterwards.  Can't wait.

     After running Saturday, did some stuff around the house, took a nap, and my hubby, youngest son and I went to the driving range and then played 9 holes.  I guess I had beginner's luck the week before, because I sucked this week.  It was my 16 year olds first time, and he got discouraged, but not some much.  He asked us if we could go again yesterday.  So we did!  I did get a 3 mile run in the morning, baked my favorite quiche, mowed the lawn, and finally planted the garden.  Around 2 PM I came in and showered, fixed my hair, and sat down and promptly fell asleep.  My youngest got up around 3 (loves to stay up late on the weekends) and woke me up to ask if we could go play again. 

     Yesterday wasn't as bad as Saturday but still very, very sad.  I guess the only way to get better is to play.  Maybe I will sign us up for lessons - I think we all could use it.  But the funny thing is, I don't think there were many players around us that were any better.  Thank Goodness!

      Back to work, no running planned for today.  I need to catch up on housework and laundry.  Hopefully, it will be a quiet week at work.  I hope to put in for leave for Thursday and Friday - why not?  I have a ton of leave and need a few days off.  We'll see what my boss says :)  She may not think so.

     Anyhow, enjoy the pre-holiday week.  Thank goodness for summer holidays!  Bring on July 4th.

  

My First 5K - Completed June 18!

Above is a group photo: a pre race photo shot.  Coach is the blond in the aqua blue t-shirt with the big smile!  I'm in the very back with the sunglasses (and gray hair).  Little did we know what it would take today.

Here is all the cool race stuff.  The shirt was an extra cost when you registered.  I decided to go for it since it was my first race, the more money I committed, the more accountable I would need to be.  It worked!  My bib number was also randomly picked at the end for a prize and I picked up some very cool technical socks.  They match the green of my race shirt.  And if you were not sure I made it, here's proof!

OK, my official time was 41:01.  I wasn't last for the whole group, I wasn't last for my age group and I ran the entire race.  On a sad note, it was so humid yesterday, it stormed at 4:00 AM prior to the race, two women collapsed.  One after the race and one during the race.  One of the ladies was from our group.  We send our thoughts and prayers and hope that it was just a mild case of dehydration.

Bev was sporting her new Wonder Woman bracelet.  She is still smiling.  Note:  I won't let go of my Gatorade. 

And here is final group shot (post race) with our wonderful Coach.  She was always cracking us up.  

Gwynne - you rock!  Thank you! 

It was me!

I dug my Nathan water bottle out of the recycle can.  I was pretty sure it was me and last night's run confirmed it.  My running accessories are fine - it was me, the end user that was having the technical difficulties.  So sorry Nathan.  Please forgive me - I'm chalking it up to being a newbie and having several senior moments.

For some reason, last night's run was very hard.  I was breathing like a chimney on the way back.  I had used my inhaler about 15 minutes before the run but forgot to take my Advil in the afternoon and my knees were letting me know it.  So sad to be old and creaky!   

I'm considering wearing a pink tank for my 5K on Saturday - but then again, I think of the photographer that will be there and the thought of my upper arms makes me think twice :).  We'll see, I'll make a decision Friday evening when I hear what the temperature is going to be.  

Another beautiful day here!  Low humidity and plenty of sunshine - a top down kind of day!  Loving my convertible and all my worries seem to fly out the top when I get into it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

Technical Difficulties

Saturday, our beginning running group met to run our last "long" run before our big race next Saturday.  I love my Nike GPS App on my IPhone but with all my new "accessories" like my spy belt, I had a bit of a technical glitch.  I hate when that happens..........I had my Nike app all set up so all I would have to do it hit the green arrow and put the lock in but somehow, with my car key, house key and key fob jammed into the pocket, I somehow never set it to go off.  Bev's Garmin worked well so according to her data, we ran 3.09 miles.  It was hot and humid out but we made it. Afterwards, we all went to La Madeline's for breakfast.  It was very tempting for someone like me who follows a low carb diet, but I had quiche and a diet coke.  I know, not the best thing (the diet coke) but I already had my two cups of coffee before I left the house.  I picked up some chocolate croissants (4) for my guys, a loaf of fresh baked bread (for my guys), some balsamic dressing and some croûtons (for me) on my way out.  My youngest ate three of the croissants shortly after I arrived home and my husband finished the last one off.  My oldest was at work so he got totally left out.  It was a lovely morning and they didn't seem to mind us at all - a large group of sweaty women!

    Sunday, I ran my home route at 9:00 AM.  Another hot and humid day (93 with 70 % humidity).  3.9 miles and I felt great.  I tried out my new hand held container.  My first one, a Nathan, leaked so bad.  So I splurged and paid $20 for this one.


It leaked too - most of my drink poured out throughout the run onto my left leg. (Well, it least it helped cool me down).  I barely had anything left toward the end of the run.  Now, totally frustrated, but so glad I am trying these things out before race day, think it's not the item, but me.  I don't think I had the round seal down all the way when I put the lid on.  So, tonight I will try it out again and see if my theory is correct.  I'm betting I'll be digging my Nathan container out of the recycle bin.

Well - the weather has changed for the good.  The humidity is very low and it's shaping up to be a beautiful Tuesday.  Too bad I will be at work.  Any how - just hoping for dry weather on race day which is now 5 days away.

Have a wonderful day!

Almost there...........

It's been such a long time since I last posted, it's been a bit busy and well, haven't had too much free time.  A lot a happened though, most of it good!  Let's see - I got a new car!  A convertible!  It's a dark green Pontiac Solstice and I love it!  I know, it probably seems like I'm going through a mid life crisis.  But - as I told my husband, if we wait another 10 years, I probably won't be able to bend down to get into it.  So it's now or never :).

I blame my Dad for all of this - when I was growing up I would go with him to his friend's house.  His friend had an old dark green MG that he was planning on restoring.  Well, I was about 14 at that time, and I fell in love with that car.  That was about 33 years ago.  Well, when you first learn to drive, a convertible is out of the question - too dangerous.  And then my hubby, my high school sweat heart, and I got married really young (I was 20 and he was 19) so we couldn't afford anything at that point.  After I graduated from Maryland, we decided to start our family and you know how that goes - a convertible is out of the question with kids.  And now finally, our boys are well, soon to be 20 and 17, and now seems to be a good time.  I still have my mini-van so I can be football / swim / lacrosse mom when needed.  But for the most part, I've been driving around in a huge mini-van that sucks down gas like there is no tomorrow with no one in it but me.  At the most, I usually have my youngest with me, so now we can ride in style!

Other things that have happened during this time period:  I turned 47 (OMG), my hubby and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary (wow - I feel really old), I completed a 2 month on-line LEED course (4 CEU credits), worked, had tonsillitis, my youngest son wrapped up his high school lacrosse season,

and still somehow, have kept training for my first 5K which happens on June 18th.  My running last month took a nose dive while I was sick - I ran a fever for 5 days and ended up getting a second antibiotic because the first one didn't do anything.  I think I took about 30 Tylenol's per day that week because my throat felt like I was swallowing knives.  Good grief - I hope that was it for this year with being sick.  I didn't run for 7 days and had to resume my running slowly.

So, I did get my certificate for the on line course (Yea) and this past week, have been back in the saddle with the running.  Anyhow, looking forward to catching up on all the blogs for inspiration and hope it will carry me through for the 5K.  I'm starting to get nervous - but this morning my running group - the Montgomery County Road Runner's Beginning Women's Running group - ran the race course in preparation of the Big Day.  Good news is - I made it!  My running buddies Bev and Subta have been great and the program has been wonderful.  Our coaches are awesome and I would highly recommend the program to anyone.  Bev, Subta and I are going to register to the 10K program that starts in mid August and hope to run a 10K in November.  I think the running thing has caught us and that is a great thing!

And if I can run it, a 47 year old mom, that got way out of shape - somewhere between year 27 and 46 - anyone can.  :) 

Have a great Saturday!