Keeping on 'Troting

Ok, so last week wasn't such a great week.  The week before that was OK, not great but OK.  This week wasn't gearing up to be much better since I did nothing yesterday.

Lets be honest: Mondays aren't the best training day for me and I should probably work with that limitation and set it as a rest day.

But Today ... Today I got up and did something.  Nothing spectacular or out of this world but SOMETHING ... and I am taking that one as a WIN!

I was even inspired to start my race planning:

• I'm already signed up for the ING 13.1 Miami (I'm actually signed up for the 26.2 but I know I won't be ready) so I will be pacing the Mom's on her first Half Marathon attempt
• I'd love to hook up with some people doing the Key West Ragnar but I don't know if I will be ready.  
• My 13.1 race will be the 13.1 Miami Beach in March
• The Traditional 7 Mile Bridge (My Alternate will be the Aflac 15k in case I don't get in)
• My A-race will be the Corporate Run where I want to beat 32:00 minutes (with my ultimate goal being sub-30)

I am Thankful that I am able to "run".  I am Thankful that I can share this hobby with my mom which brings us together and gives us a lot ... MORE ... to talk about :) I am Thankful for my family and my friends and my co-workers who put up with all my running talk (even though I haven't been running in a while).  I am Thankful running has taken me back, like an old lover you never forget!  I am THANKFUL!!!

On Deck is some calisthenics and stretching for tomorrow, cause the Turkey Trot Tradition must be upheld!!!

Have you been Thankful Today?

T-Minus 11 weeks or 77 Days till ING Miami Half Marathon Take Deux

Last week I realized we are 12 weeks out ... now 11 weeks out ... of the 2011 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon to which I have been signed up for since last years ING Miami Marathon 2010.

The last few months have been rather eventful including:

• Reaching and passing the half way mark in my Graduate School Program and getting nominated to the Golden Key Honor Society
• Closing and moving into my own place
• A rather unexpected change in employment to a job I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT!!!!!

This eventfulness (is that a word?) has further gummed up the works in my Return to Running Plan.

Until ...

I just got out there an did it.

Last week was the Waterford 5k, a yearly run company's in the Waterford area take part in. 

Last week,  I also had an Epiphany.  I have a million reasons why I don't have time to run ... but all those reasons are in fact EXCUSES! 

So, when Friday came ... I had not trained ... I had not worked out ... But I had to run ... well I had to walk.   There was no reason why I shouldn't,  only excuses ... and I wasn't going to let an excuse stop me!

So I did, paced by a co-worker and did OK considering I haven't put on my work out clothes in about 7 months.

Saturday I rested ... I woke up with a dehydration hang over.  I hadn't had enough water in the days preceding race. 

Today, I followed it up by walking/jogging 5 miles which also went OK but made me realize I really have to kick up my training to get back to my fighting weight.  Mrs. Mom is doing it too but she has been training for a few weeks already so I have a lot of catching up to do.

For those of you who have been following me for a while might recall I pace Mrs. Mom or at least go back for her at the end of the race ... but either way ... I HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING TO DO!!!!

On Deck

2 miles @ between 14:15 to 15:36


Have a great day!

Wednesday Hump

So last night I got in a treadmill run and I was surprised to find that although I felt lazy and didn't really feel like running I ended the run well above my average.

I ended up with 4.137 at 45:00 (10:52 pace)

I was so happy to see an average pace in the 10s. What's even better is I didn't feel over-exerted or nauseous (a key sign that I over did it) or tired. Score one for me! :) Woo-Hoo!

I followed it with a great dinner and some quality study time with my mom, she is my study-sounding board and is helping me figure out my Finance Class.

Tonight I am taking a rest and sneaking in some quality boyfriend time before getting some more study time. I think this one-day on, one-day off is going to work for me :) I just need to make sure I don't skip any more long runs. For some reason my long run phobia has returned, I really need to shake that off!

Happy Hump Day!

Race Report: Calle Ocho 8K

Another Weekend Sabbatical.

Sunday

I bailed on my long run because the morning was too cold. I convinced myself I would do an afternoon run but then, of course, got tangled up in other things. Mr. Boyfriend and I ended up having a lovely afternoon at the South Miami Art Festival and having a nice dinner together together at our favorite little Pizza spot: Gables Pizza and Salad.

Saturday

I couldn't wake up because I had gone to sleep after a long JAM session. I played Guitar, Bass or Drums most of the night :) I didn't run and by the time the afternoon rolled around I had a migraine. Couldn't study, couldn't rest so just went to sleep early in hopes of running Sunday (which I didn't).

Friday

Before going to JAM was the Calle Ocho 8K.

I didn't know it was the first year of this race. Before I left home that wouldn't have made any difference to me. In my mind race start was 6:45 and I was leaving an hour early, plenty of time.

Then as soon as I left the house to head for Downtown Miami, the traffic started. I was driving on Calle Ocho, which is the only was I know how to get to Downtown Miami (mind you there are about a dozen ways to get there but that's the only one I know).

An hour later, I was panicking. I was finally Downtown but could not find the parking garages mentioned on the website. I called my mom and she told me not to worry that it was the kids race that started at 6:45pm that I had until 7:15pm. But I still wasn't finding parking. Frustrated I gave up and parking in an alleyway by a bank that was closed. I figured that with all the commotion and bumper to bumper traffic they couldn't get a tow truck in to tow me away anyway and the cops had the runners to contend with (I know not the right way to think but I was REALLY frustrated by then!)

I got to the starting line about 5 minutes before and got to warming up. When an announcement is made that the race start will be held 15 minutes for some reason I am blocking out at the moment ... I really didn't care ... I had 15 more minutes to warm-up and I was happy.

As soon as we got started I realized I had worn the wrong underwear :\ being that they bunched up in the most ungodly way and stayed there for the remainder of the race.

I decided not to think about it and once I got started everything went pretty smoothly. The 5k and the 8k course were both turn arounds on the same course which didn't strike me as odd but as I read the reviews I realized it wasn't the best idea. The race course goes down Calle Ocho and towards the middle runs into a row of Art Galleries and Street Concerts (which happen every Friday) and the people weren't there as spectators for us but they still cheered us on, which was nice.

The turn around was dark but by that time I was more concerned with keeping my pace. I kept it in the 10s the whole way so far and I wanted to keep it that way. Unfortunately, I couldn't maintain it for the rest of the way.

I still felt I finished pretty strong and ran a good race.

My training has been wonky the last two weeks and I expect it to stay that way for a bit but I still felt good about the race.

The reviews on the other hand aren't so great.

Not sure if I would run it again next year.

Today is the beginning of week two in grad school ... I am cooping a bit better but I know if I was running more consistently it would be easier. Going to take the suggestion of running one day and then one day off and see if it helps.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

It wasn't meant to be ... or was it?

So last night, the weather nixed my run. As soon as I steped out the door it started to drizzle.

Not being one to be easily defeated, I decided I would do a few laps around the block and get a feel for the rain. By the time I finished the first lap, the downpour was starting and I ran inside and decided it would be a night for studying instead.

Today, I didn't really have a run on the schedule being that tomorrow is the Calle Ocho 8K but being that I've missed 3 runs (including yesterdays) over the last 10 days I wanted to get a few miles in. I promised myself it would be an easy run, no pushing myself and being that today I'd be visiting Mrs. Mom it would be on the treadmill ... but low and behold the set of running clothes I have stashed at Mrs. Mom's house was still in the washer (i.e. WET!)

I thought about taking this as a sign and I still might, but I tossed the clothes in the drier and am hoping to jump on the tready in the next half hour or so and get an easy run in. No goal on the mileage, just go with what I feel.

For now, I snuck in this blog post and a little review time while I wait.

No moment goes wasted :P hehe

Happy Thursday!

Getting Out of A Slump

Last night I finally forced myself to run.

It helped that I went to my mom's house where she has a treadmill hence no excuse not to run.

I hemmed and hawed for a bit before getting on but the reality was there was absolutely no reason not to get on the treadmill. I started up a review video for one of my classes and got going.

I ended up with 4.012 @ 0:45:00 so not a second more than I had planned but a mile less than I had hoped for. Although 45 min for 4 miles is not bad at all for me ... it's actually pretty darn great but I was hoping to make up at least one mile of the ones I missed Saturday and Monday but I will still take it as a victory!

Today I have a 5 miler planned but the weather is planning to take a dip ... I am hoping to get out there before that happens!

Have a great Wednesday!

Almost Only Counts In Horseshoes And Hand Grenades

As I write this, N.C.I.S. is playing on the T.V. (which is where my title comes from... gotta love Agent Gibbs) and I am finishing up some work from home and I am inputting my stats from today's "Speed Session" in my log.

Multi-tasking much? Yes. Yes, I am!

So, you may have noticed I put the words Speed Session between quotes ... yep, I am putting them between Air Quotes ... to denote how non-speedy my speed session actually is in reality!

But it's speedy to me ... SO THERE! :P

So, being that I have done Speed Sessions all of 3 times over the last year, I decided to try out those niffy Yasso 800s everyone is talking about and read up a little bit about them on Runner's World.

I calculated my numbers, cross referencing with my McMillan Running Calculator Chart and set up my Garmin to do a programed workout starting with .5m (as close to 800m as I can get it without switching to metric) as a warm-up then 800 with 800 rest followed by a 400 followed by 400 rest and repeat this 3 times. Needless to say that was not the right way to do it.

Also while programing my Garmin I realized I couldn't program the exact times so I programed the Speed Zones that I thought would fit closest (at the time!)

Only to later find out that the Speed Zones can be calibrated. They look something like this by default. (See Photo)

Now hindsight is 20/20 and I know these little speed bumps will teach me all sorts of interesting things and that's all well and good but ... wait, there is no but :)

I was able to do 2 out of the 3 sets and finished off my mileage with an easy two-miler at my recovery pace.


So after my workout I did a little more research and found more articles (like this one About.com) that explain the rest part a little more in depth and looking at my stats I can now calibrate my run zones and set some new goals.

I am counting this one as a win.

Breaking News:

For the last 3 days I've been having 2 tbs of Chia Seeds with about 4 ounces of apple juice at 10am and at 3pm and I have noticed that my appetite has been highly curbed. At times when I would normally be starving, I'm so stuffed I couldn't eat a bite. Which is also curbing my snacking, case in point, after dinner I would normally search wildly for something sweet and tonight we actually have some lovely Milano Double Chocolate Cookies which I adore and I although I'd love one, I couldn't think of having one because I am so full. Hmmmm!

I will keep you posted on how this continues to develop.

Have a great day!

Hard Start For An Easy Run

Last night, I got my Easy run in on the treadmill.

Again, I didn't want to do it. I felt so "blah", I didn't want to work out at all.

I convinced myself that I didn't HAVE to do 4 miles ... trying to be slick and just get myself on the treadmill ... I KNEW that once I got on it I wouldn't stop ... the problem was just getting started!

It is getting harder and harder for me to just get started ... even considering that I think I am infatuated with doing my easy runs on the treadmill because I am able to push myself and maintain my speed a lot longer than when I run on the streets. I am alternating my runs between street and treadmill for now and am highly enjoying it.

But it is still so difficult to just get started!

Once I did my warm up, I wanted to stop again but pushed through, set the treadmill at 5.1 and just got going.

Mile one done, I wanted to stop, but I told myself that if I did another 12 minutes I'd get two miles which was better than one.

Mile two done, I wanted to stop, but I told myself I was half way there ... only another 24 minutes. That's not that much.

Mile three done, I was counting down the minutes but I wasn't going to stop.

Mile four done, counting down the seconds now but so close to 50 minutes ... Can't stop!

Finished 50 minutes and got 4.25 miles.

Cool-down and relax!

YAY!

Final Stats
Distance: 4.25
Time: 0:50:00
Pace: 11:47 mm

Happy Hump Day!

Recovery Run Recap

Last night's run was supposed to be a Recovery Run. Just an easy run to ease my way back into the week's training.

Granted, I wasn't feeling it when I started:


Now, McMillan Running Calculator has me doing my recovery runs between 13:35 and 14:05 for my Goal Half Marathon time of 2:30:00 (I am shooting for a PR by almost 5 minutes from my 13.1 Fort Lauderdale Glory and to regain my dignity after my personal worst of 3:10:36 at the ING "Bleh" Fest)

But my run looked something like this.

And that is taking into consideration that between Mile 1 and Mile 2 I had to stop for 2 minutes to stretch my shins cause they were hurting something awful but after a second stretch didn't hurt for the rest of the run.

Every mile was below my range by at least 1 minute if not more. The rest felt easy, not forced. Although I kept slowing down into the 13s on my last mile and had to keep looking down at my Garmin to catch myself and shift back into the 12s.

But my Long Run on Saturday was at the top end of my McMillan Range of 12:35 to 13:35. I used a 4:1 Run/Walk Ratio and although the distance felt good I think I could've run it a little faster (being that I did 2 and a half miles more than scheduled without really noticing it much ;}

Question: Did I run my recovery run too fast or do I need to amp up my training and my goal to match my times?

I've learned from other bloggers (yes, I read your blogs daily even though I don't comment as often as I'd like!) about how recovery runs are difficult because they take a lot of self control to throttle back.

Now I run relatively slow, so at my level is 60-90 seconds faster on each mile really a big deal?

To match these times with McMillan for a Recovery Run my Half Marathon Goal Time would have to be 2:15:00 (a 19:36 PR)

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated :)

Happy Tuesday!

Weekend Random Recap

Friday's concert was canceled due to the weather (Something is trying to keep me from seeing this band, this is our 4th attempt to go see them) but that didn't ruin our date.

Mr. Boyfriend and I went for a Jam at a friends house and I even played (I haven't played my Guitar in ages!). After a set, my fingers were so sore and my wrist was aching ... only to confirm, I need to practice more ;) It got me very motivated to get back to my lessons and maybe even back to Guitar class, well see!

Saturday's run went well. I toyed with my garmin and programed it to ring at the 4:1 ratio and got it rather easily, but once I went out I needed to figure out how to get it repeat over and over. After about a mile and a half of fildling I got it to work but I didn't realize that once I got it to work it reset my time/distance. Meaning that when I got home thinking I had done 10.14 miles or so ... when I got on the computer to look over my stats I found that I had actually done 11.64. SCORE! :)

Final Stats
Distanc: 11.64
Time: 2:40:00
Pace: 13:46 mm

It was a little slower than I hoped (I was hoping to be back up to my 13.1 Fort Lauderdale numbers ... in the 11s ... impossible considering) but I did beat my ING Numbers (considerable imporvement in just one week ... another WOO-HOO!)

Sunday is Mr. Boyfriend and I's Pancake breakfast day :) so I decided to get creative with my pancakes and ground up some CHIA Seeds in my Majic Bullet Blender and added 1 TBSP to the mix along 1 tsp of brown sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The Pancakes came out looking a little like whole wheat pancakes and tasted terrific :)

Today is a rest day but I am planning to go on a bike ride with a friend this afternoon and probably will catch the end of the Superbowl :)

Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Me + Treadmill = Love?

So I am finding a renewed love for the treadmill.

This week, I have alternated my outside runs with treadmill runs. The first time it was for convenience, it was raining and I didn't want to bail on my run, but the second time I genuinely wanted to run on the treadmill.

Both times they were supposed to be easy four miler recovery type runs. Nothing fancy, just easy as she goes.

But both times, being that my itchy button pressing finger got antsy, I kept inching up the speed causing me to run just a little faster than I normally would.

The by product being yesterday's tempo run where I hit multiple 10s, which was a wonderful surprise to me!

Now don't get me wrong, I have no intention of replacing all my runs with treadmill runs, specially not my long runs but I am scheduling in the occasional tready appointment.

I feel like it keeps my recovery runs honest (does that make sense?) and keeps me from going too easy (a habit I need to work on breaking).

Final stats:
Distance: 4.635
Time: 50:00:00
Pace: 11:27

On Deck

• Tonight is a rest day but I'd like to do a little bit of strength training, maybe pick up my Push-up/Sit-up/Squat Challenge again. Also, Mr. Boyfriend and I are having a date night, going to catch Rhythm in the Park where we hope to see the Spam Allstars :)
  
• Tomorrow I have a 9 miler penciled in. I plan to practice my 4:1 ratio.
  

Happy Friday!

Tempo Run

So last nights run went better than I thought.

I really didn't have any expectations being that I have never quite gotten the hang of tempo runs and technically I did the tempo part too fast and the rest part too slow.

But I still consider it went rather well. First time I've had multiple splits in the 10s even after a rest break and a cool-down in the 12s.

Score one for me!

Splits

Tempo	0.10	01:03.3
Tempo	1.00	10:32.6
Rest	0.25	04:16.5
Tempo	1.00	10:49.2
Rest	0.25	04:16.0
Tempo	1.00	10:41.0
Rest	0.25	04:04.8
Tempo	0.78	09:15.4
Rest	0.25	04:16.0
Cool-Down	1.00	12:27.6

Final stats:
Distance: 5.88
Time: 1:11:42
Pace: 12:12 (I'll be busting 11s in no time ;)

I'm trying to stay focused so I can break the 1:00:00 mark in my next race: The Carnival Miami Calle Ocho 8K but what I'm really looking forward to is the street dance of Latin music & conga lines after the race, WOO-HOO! :)

On deck for tonight is a repeat of Tuesday, easy 4 miler on the treadmill.

Have a great day!

Hump Day Already?

I was off on Monday, resting up after the Marathon Half-Marathon so today feels like Tuesday which is a beautiful thing because Friday will feel like it's coming that much faster.

I have lots of random stuff to go over so I'll try to keep it organized! :)

First of all:

I want to thank you all for your comments and positive vibes :) They are greatly appreciated.

Second:

I'd like to answer a question on how I got the fun clock pic of my time:

It's available Here

Click on your race, Search for your name and then click on it and Viola! :) From there I took a screen shot of it and saved.

I also used this to correct the time on my finish picture with the help of Photoshop ;)

Third:

Yesterday, I went on a Race Planning spree. I want to do one race every month this year and so far I'm doing fine.

• Already did my January Race
  
• Signed up for February 26th, Calle Ocho 8k
• I had already signed up for March 7th, 13.1 Miami Beach
• Applied for the April 27th 7 Mile Bridge Race, it's a Lotto race so I penciled in the April 15th 1040K race (just in case :\
  
• Penciled in the May 22nd Tour of the Gables
• Penciled in the June 6th Twilight 5k
  
• Penciled in the July 4th 5k

• 
  

Forth:

I complied my stats for January. They look something like this:

Miles Run: 69.66 miles
Times Run: 11 times
Average Pace: 4.68 mph
Time Run: 15:07:44
Cross Trained: 0 times - egad!
Biked: 0 times

Fifth:

I read listened to 3 Books this month

All three were excellent!

and Finally:

Yesterday's rain caused me to bring my run inside, first time in what feels like at least a year (but probably not that long) that I've run on a treadmill.

I was pleasantly surprised.

I plugged in my Ipod, started up Spirit of the Marathon and got going.

I probably could have squeezed out one more rest day but I was raring to go and couldn't wait to get started.

I kept it easy, at my 12:47 recovery run pace. I bobbed up and down during the first half mile of the run so much (trying to figure out the new tready) that I pretty much had to keep it 11:32 and 12:00 for the last three miles to break even at 12:41.

I loved the fact that I had more control over how fast I was going and how I could keep it even. Yes, I'm OCD like that! When I run outside I can usually keep the first mile on pace but every subsequent mile slows down considerably and I H.A.T.E. THAT!

Final stats:
Distance: 4.10
Time: 52:00:00
Pace: 12:41

On Deck for tonight is a 5 Mile Run with 3 of those miles at 11:08 pace. I'm not good at these types of runs but I'm just going to push on through.

Have a great Hump day!

Learned Self Helplessness

So it seems I had a bout of Learned Self Helplessness (LSH).

What's that you say?

"When you start to believe that there is nothing you can do to change the current situation"

The Cure?

Focus on getting out of the under toe.

How I'm doing it?

• Reading all your wonderful blogs
• Some pick-me-up motivation from running buddies (Thank you: Eve, Mike, Marcia)
  
• Listening to some Anthony Robbins
• And a kick out the door from Mr. Boyfriend when I wanted to postpone my afternoon run till the next morning (which if I do somehow doesn't happen)
  

Yesterday, I had a 4 miler penciled in.

I don't particularly like Monday runs until AFTER there done at which time I adore them. Hmmm, go figure.

I was going to try to pull a fast one on myself (cause I wouldn't be fooling anyone else) and convince myself that I would get up early Tuesday and do my run in the morning.

Thankfully, Mr. Boyfriend saved the day and got me out the door. :)

Distance: 5.15 Miles (a mile above what I had planned :)
Time 1:03:20

I'm already feeling a lot better! :)

The fact is: There is always something you can do! Giving up is not an option! CARPE DIEM! SEIZE THE DAY ... TODAY, TOMORROW, AND ALWAYS!

Happy Tuesday!

Marathon Vent

The Marathon is quickly approaching.

T Minus 13 Days and Counting!

But instead of excitement, I'm feeling rather demoralized even though I know tapering should be my focus now.

Except that I feel like I have been tapering for the last 6 weeks.

I haven't been running my best lately.

There have been too many skipped runs, runs cut short and less than stellar splits. I know I should be doing speed work ... but I just don't. I know I should be doing Strength Training on non-running days ... but I just don't.

Self-Doubt is trying to creep in.

More than once I've thought about not doing the Full. "I can take the turn at the Half" I tell myself, a contingency previously reserved for the if I wake up sick that day emergency only, but suddenly it's trying to creep it's way into my plan for the day status.

The little voice keeps saying:

• You only ran 20 miles once
• You bailed on your 20 miler (this Saturday) and only did 10
• You are still running too slow (I keep comparing myself to my running friends)
• You haven't been running your best lately

But I keep feeling like if I don't run it ... I will have failed at my goal.

You see, I have this bad habit ... REALLY BAD HABIT ... of giving up on things as soon as I see the end in sight.

I don't know why ... but I do.

Case in point:

• My 900 miles in 2009. I planned my runs and plotted out the last month and would have reached my goal, right on the dot ... BUT the last two weeks of 2009, I ran ONCE! I went from running 4 times a week consistently over 3 months to ONCE IN 15 days. I ended up with 854 ... 46 miles short.
  

I'm afraid that I'm doing it again.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE RUNNING! I love how I feel after I run. I love the looks I get when I tell people I ran X miles. My migraines are pretty much gone. My body is getting fit (although I don't see the difference on the scale, I feel better about what I see in the mirror). I love keeping track of my runs (yes, I am OCD :) I love the clothes, the gear, I LOVE IT ALL!

BUT ... I am getting a little demoralized about not speeding up and not running my plan.

I never had a doubt about completing the 26.2. I don't even have a doubt about finishing it now ... I know I can do it, but I'm just not-feeling-it!

I'm not sure how this will play out ... but I'm taking it one day at a time.

Run it if you want to

So I'm sick.

I mean officially sick. The Trifecta: Mild Fever, Cough and Stuffy Nose.

Now, I'm not STAY-IN-BED-ALL-DAY sick (it takes alot to knock me on arse ;). Although I think the OTC meds have ignored the fact that I-ABSOLUTELY-ABORE-THEM and are working their little hearts out for me and doing a darn fine job.

So I feel fine.

I occasionally forget that I'm sick only to be reminded by an errant cough or when my nose gets so stuffed I can't breathe normally anymore but other than that I'm A-O-Tay!

So I'm at work trudging along.

And being at work I am multitasking (as is usual) and listening to Audio books. And yesterday, after finishing up the final chapters of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. I poped in Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. Listening to the Story of The Tarahumara and the Run Across the Sky - Leadville Trail 100.

I think it's the first Novel style running book I've ever read listened to. I mean I did read listen to 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days but I found that to be less of a narrative and more motivational for some reason (which is closer to what I usually listen to during the my days at work)

But I digress.

After listening to Born to Run all day, how could I not run!

Now, I had penciled in a 7 miler but I wasn't going to hold myself to it. I was hopeful that I would surprise myself but I wasn't going to risk getting sicker.

If it happened fine and if it didn't fine.

I just head out for a run!

No distance, no route planned. Just run.

The next four miles were filled with spitting and snot rockets (it was not a pretty picture) and when I got to my extension point (where I add another mile to my 4 milers or go home), I noted the cold was making it through my jacket and straight to my bones so I took the turn home. I didn't even stop at my cool-down spot. I was feeling the cold and I ran all the way home.

When I got home I looked at the time on my Garmin, a little defeated, as I did my stretches. Mr. Boyfriend walked in and asked me how it went and I just replied "meh" then he smiled and said "At least you got out there. I told my mom and my sister you went for a run while you were sick and they thought you were nuts!"

I smiled.

That totally made the run SOOOO worth it! :)

As I toyed with my ipod, reading my face notifications as I stretched. I noted I got an comment from Age Groups Rock tagging me for a list of 10 things that make me happy and pass it on to 10 people which I will do as my post for tomorrow.

Happy Almost Friday!

Finally!

I finally ran my first run of 2010! (Better late than never ;}

My car temperature gauge said it was 50° so I figured a mid-sleeved t-shirt and running jacket would do being that I read when you start out a cold run you should feel a little chilly (this is clue #1 that I have no cold weather running experience!) Yes, I needed tips on Cold Weather Running! ;}

So I fatefully headed out and did my quarter mile precursory walk to warm up. Half way through which I wanted to cut it short and start running but I figured that because of the cold I would need more warm-up not less and kept on walking. (this is clue #2 that I have no cold weather running experience!) I should have started to warm-up before I left the house!

When I started running it took me a few minutes to get my breathing straight (which is normal if I take more than a 3 day hiatus, it's like my body forgets how to breathe!) Once I got in sync, I noticed my breathing seemed to ache! The thought that came to mind was that acid was being poured down my sinuses and was pooling in my throat (not a very attractive thought and much less pleasant feeling!) it seemed to last for about a half mile.

Then I told myself: "Your running past all these cars, with this awful look on your face and they must think running is awful ... SMILE SO THEY THINK YOU ARE ENJOYING IT!?!" and as I focused on that all the other mechanics of running took over my mind and I was just running.

Time slipped away and I didn't notice anything else until I reached the final loop (about 2 miles left to go).

By this time, the sun had finished setting in a beautiful red, orange and pink display across the sky over the Granada Golf Course as Stereophonic's Drowning started to play and I had a cathartic moment!

As I ran I started to think about things I was thankful for.

I was thankful that I was running ... I was thankful that I was running 5 miles! I realized I don't know many people who can run 5 miles without stopping! ... I was thankful for the other runners on the same path, The 3 guys running separately at their own pace (much faster than mine) but for about a minute we stayed pretty much together (but still separate) All running! ... I was thankful that I am much faster than I was 9 months ago (I was averaging an 16 min/mile ... now I average just below a 12 min/mile) ... I was thankful that my Mom and Mr. Boyfriend would be there to cheer my on at the Marathon ... I was thankful for an ABSOLUTELY AWESOME MOM and an OUT OF THIS WORLD Boyfriend ... I was thankful for my *new-to-me* car and I was proud of making the responsible choice ... I was thankful for all the responsible (Read: grown up, smart, will improve finances and quality of life!) choices I made in 2009 and all the choices I was preparing to make in 2010 that would do the same ...

But then I was brought out of it by the fact that the temperature started to drop palpably.

The sun was gone and I started to FEEL the cold again as if I hadn't just run 4 miles or even warmed up at all. My mind honed in on the thought and got stuck and then I realized I wasn't wearing anything on my neck (this is clue #3 that I have no cold weather running experience!) I tired zipping up my jacket to the top but it was no use. I focused on the thought that the next time I would take an old turtle neck and cut out the neck part and wear that but the feeling still stuck!

As I arrived at my usual stop point, I decided that walking home (my usual cool-down) would again be more painful than useful and ran straight through it and the extra quarter mile home and did my cool-down in front of the TV instead.

On deck for today is another 5 miler. Today it should reach the 70s but then tomorrow and Sunday it drops back down to the 30s with the addition of rain ... EEEEK!!

Here's hoping everyone stays warm this weekend!

Happy Friday!

Ten Days and Counting

I haven't run for 10 days.

Today would make it eleven if I don't get out and hit the pavement.

I've been tangled up in Holiday This and End of the Year That. But today is the first day I am feeling it physically. I feel like someone took my back and shoulders and tied them in a knot.

I'm pretty sure the stress is getting to me too. I'm cranky and I can almost feel a migraine trying to wrap it's evil fingers around my brain.

Doubt is also trying to creep in. Trying to make a home for itself in the self-loathing part of my brain. Asking me "Who I thought I was fooling! A Runner! HA!" It spits at me.

I'm not going to let that stop me!

I will not let Doubt live in my head rent free!

I don't know for how long or how far I will go but I WILL RUN TODAY!

Twenty

Friday, I set my mind on it and even daydreamed running portions of it, running strong and happy. I was quite excited to finally reach my goal.

But Saturday ... oh, Saturday.

I will go through the break down as a list:

• I woke up to find I had snoozed away an hour causing me to start my run an hour later than I had planned. But I still got up.
• I got dressed and realized my pants running pants weren't fitting right ... not a bad thing necessarily but bad timing to say the least.
• I started to prepare my pre-run meal of a PBJ but found that we were out of Jelly. I replaces it with Guava but found that the bread was stale so after two bites I couldn't eat it anymore.
• I started to work on my race hydration camelbak filling it with water and Gatorade powder and found that I hadn't taken care of it last week as I should have after my dismal run and mold had gotten to it.
  
• I was out of Shotbloks ... so I just went without.

Something was just out to stop this 20-miler from happening!?!

But did I let that stop me!?!

HECK NO!

What saved the day?

• The cold front that is currently in our area was just getting started making the weather absolutely wonderful.
• My Nathan's Handheld bottle I got a giveaway by Fair Weather Runner's(Thank you AGAIN!?!)
• My absolute stubbornness! :)
• and finally, Mr. Boyfriend who got worried after I hadn't come home and went out to get me and found me two blocks away from home cause I stopped running right after twenty miles and couldn't get started again.

When I got home I gave my legs a rinse in cold water for a good 10 minutes (just let the cold water run on my legs) and I put on my compressions socks and by the afternoon I was A-OK!

Today I'm set for a 6 mile recovery run! Hope that cold front behaves itself ;}

Have a great day!

The Clouds They ThreatenedRain

All morning the rain clouds threatened.

It rained for a few hours in the afternoon.

Then it stopped resumed to threaten.

When I got off work, I looked up at the clouds in defiance and got changed into my running clothes. I was going to go to the running park this afternoon no matter what.

When I arrived at the park, the clouds seemed to grimace and as I stretched a sparse drop would fall every few moments on my back but I was not deterred.

I started my warm up and ended up walking a half mile before I decided that if any running was to get done I needed to get to going.

Warm-Up - .5 mi Walk - 8:32.34

Then I got moving:

Mile 1 - 10:44.37
Recover - 6:15.68

I thought I would repeat the same, as I would in a tempo run but then:

Mile 2 - 10:40.23
Mile 3 - 10:35.94

Then I caught up with a couple of guys and we got to talking about the Miami Runner's Club and I finished off the last mile with them:

Cool-down - 1 mi Jog - 11:40.04

As I stretched and got into my car, the rain began, as if it was waiting for me to finish before it began to pour down.

This is the first time I've ever done negative splits. I am very much loving this improvement. Another great run to round out the week!

We are in for a cold front this weekend but it's not slated to start until Saturday evening, leaving me Saturday morning for my long 20 miler. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Happy Friday!