Running for Jen

I decided to go to the gym with my husband today and run for as long as he was going to be there.  I was pleasantly surprised to get 6 miles in as I thought we wouldn't be there that long.  I warmed up for the first couple of miles and then settled in at a 10:00 minute/ mile pace for the final four.  It had been two weeks since my last treadmill run.  

The sign at the bank read 26 degrees this morning.  It was cold!  I felt a bit sluggish out there.  I am not tired, but maybe my legs are still a bit weary.  I am not sure, but I am not going to worry about it at this point.  I was happy to get back up to 8 miles.  This was the first time since the marathon.

I ran approximately 5 miles this morning.  I left the GPS at home today.  My run was kind of impromptu.  My original plan was to run this morning, but then we had slept in until 9:30, so I didn't think that I would have enough time to run and get everything done that I needed to do.  My other thought was that I wasn't sure if running 6 days a week was too much too soon or if I was alright. After taking our dogs on our regular, weekly 2-mile walk to get the newspaper, I was about to get into the shower and felt guilty about not running.  I actually had the water on, but needless to say, turned it off and threw on a pair of shorts over my running tights (they would have fallen down otherwise), put my earband and gloves back on and went for my run.  Of course, I was happy that I went for my run, although I have yet to get done everything that I needed to do.  The work is not going away, therefore it will eventually get done. 

I am back to work tomorrow, although the students don't return for another couple of days.  Back to getting up before the roosters and heading on to the gym.

Back to getting up at 4 something in the morning.  I was happy to run at the gym, because it was freezing outside.  My run on the treadmill felt good.  It took me a couple of miles to get going to my regular pace.  I was able to maintain a 10:00 minute/ mile pace for the last 5 miles.

I felt a bit tired at the start of my run this morning.  I ran at the gym once again.  It took about 3 miles for me to get to my regular pace.  I stopped about a half mile short so I could get to work on time.  I had gotten up a bit later than normal, which is why I was off by a few minutes.  

I felt a bit tired this morning even thought got to bed by 9:30 last night.  I guess getting up at 4:10am doesn't lend itself to getting a lot of sleep unless I am in bed by 8:00pm.  It took about 3 miles for me to get to be typical pace of 10:00 minute miles.  I spent the last 4 miles at that pace.  Sportscenter and the news kept me company.

We got our first snowfall this afternoon.  It was light, but kind of neat.  We are currently waiting to see if anything else falls tonight.  This will also determine when and where I will run tomorrow.

Due to inclement weather, I had the day off.  We actually had some snow, although it wasn't much where I lived.  I chose to get some sleep, before my run.  I also chose to run outside, because I could run in the daylight.  It was freezing outside!  It was in the low 20's and with the windchill, it felt as though it was in the low teens.  I threw on not only the running tights and the long sleeve shirt, but I also added a sweatshirt and a windbreaker, running hat and earband.  I threw on anything that would keep me warm.  Once again, I chose not to remember the time it took me to run, but I did complete my goal of 7 miles.

It was cold outside, but at least it wasn't windy like it was yesterday.  When I got started, it was about 25 degrees, although it did warm up a few degrees.  At least it was sunny out.  It took me a while to get going, but I finally got into a groove and was able to get through all ten miles.  It wasn't pretty, but I felt good throughout.  

I was back out on the streets today.  It was a bit warmer than the last couple of days, although initially, I couldn't really tell. I was able to get 7 miles in, which was my goal for the day.  I felt good, which is all I can ask for.  I probably averaged about 10:30 minute miles, which included slowing down to blow the ol' nose.

I was a bit tired for this one, but alright.  I already miss not being able to sleep in.  It took me a couple of miles to get to my regular 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  I felt good and kept myself occupied with the highlights from the NFL playoffs on SportsCenter.

I felt so tired today.  A part of me wishes that I had slept in, but that other side is glad that I stayed awake and went to the gym.  I did not get enough sleep last night nor the night before and I felt it.  I did not get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace until the last couple of miles.  I am going to take tomorrow off, since I have run the past 6 days.  Hopefully, I will feel a bit better on Thursday morning.

Today wound up going better than I anticipated.  I thought that I would be exhausted as usual, but I guess sleeping in the day before helped.  It took three miles for me to get to my normal 10:00 minute pace, but I was able to step it up a notch after that.  I wound up running the final 3 miles at a 9:50 pace.  It felt good to finally take it up again. 

I am hoping that tomorrow's run will be just as good, but I already know that I may need to finish earlier than usual, since I need to get into work to take care of a few things. 

My weight of 114.5 was post-run.  I had to recognize after I weighed myself that I am still not running as many miles as I was when I was in training, therefore the number was a bit higher than I would have liked.  I am also not eating any less.

I was tired this morning, but alright.  I just reminded myself that I would be able to sleep in the next three days.  I ran at the gym once again.  It took about 3 miles for me to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  I then took it up to 9:50 per mile for miles 6 and 7.

I slept in this morning and it felt good.  I didn't get started until at least 9:15.  I did walk my dogs for about a mile or so prior.  It was very blah outside, but it wasn't nearly as cold as it has been.  Per the bank clock that I ran past, it was in the mid 40's.  The only downside was that it started raining during mile 8.  It never came down too hard, but it did make things a bit cooler.  I finished with a time around 1:42, which is pretty good considering what my past times have been on these runs.  I definitely felt as though I wasn't slowing down too often.  I also was able to avoid a bathroom stop, which helps too.  My goal was to hit 45 miles for this week, which I was able to achieve.

I was not in the mood for this run when I got started.  There was nothing wrong, I just wanted to sit around.  Nevertheless, I got out the door, and of course, everything went well.  It was actually very mild outside.  I overdressed for once, but not to a point where I was dying or anything.  I just had to hold my gloves for about 6 miles.  I was able to settle in fairly quickly and just tried to relax and enjoy the music I was listening to.  I finished in a little over an hour and a half, which I was content with.  No bathroom stops were needed, which is always a plus.

I was able to run outside today due to the day off.  It was a beautiful morning.  I was even able to wear shorts,  which was kind of nice considering how cold it has been. 

I had to limit this run to 6 miles due to time constraints.  It went well, although I was a bit tired.  

Today's run went well.  I was back at the gym on the treadmill.  It took a couple of miles for me to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  I maintained this pace for the next four miles.  For the last mile, I increased the pace every two minutes by one.  

This run started out slow.  I was not in the best of moods due to a really bad day the day before.  I thought that I may have to walk, but realized that running wasn't going to be an issue.  It took getting through the first 3 or 4 miles ( I can't remember) to get to my 10:00 minute mile.  I ran the final two miles at a 9:50 minute per mile pace, which was a nice way to finish.

This was my first race since the marathon.  It felt a little weird.  I felt a bit out of breath at first, but finally got into a groove.  I was not able to check my pace during the race, because I realized on the way to the race that I forgot my watch.  I figured that it was a blessing in disguise.  I just tried to focus on how I felt.  Then I saw the hills.  This may sound a bit moronic, but I forgot that this could be hilly.  My last two races, which were the half and full marathon, were both fairly flat.  It is not like I haven't been training outside near my home, which has plenty of hills.  I guess I just had a bit of a mental block.  It was a long week at work, so I guess it caught up with me mentally.  Fortunately, I was able to conquer the hills and the cold (44 degrees) and PR.  It was only by 7 seconds, but a PR is a PR!

I decided to take yesterday off because I was sore, it was raining outside and because I usually take the day after a race off (especially when I am sore).  I decided then to run today in the hopes that the soreness would be gone and I would be good to go.  Well, the soreness was still there, which to me is a sign that I really ran hard on Saturday.  I still decided to go to the gym and run since getting up this morning wasn't too painful and I figured that I could run through it.  I did manage to run, but it was very slow.  I even felt the need to walk for a few seconds after each mile.  Since it was taking me so long to run each mile, I chose to stop at 5 miles, which time-wise was close to when I needed to be done anyway.  I will try it again tomorrow.

Today was much better than yesterday.  The soreness seems to be gone for the most part.  It took just over a couple of miles, but I was able to get to my 10:00 minute mile and maintain that pace for almost the last four miles.  I felt good, which is all I can ask for.  I had to shorten my workout from 6 to 7 miles so that I could get my dogs to doggie day care ( I know, it sounds pathetic) and so I could allow a student to retake a quiz at 7:30 am.

I ran this one on the treadmill.  I was a bit tired, but just reminded myself that Friday was only a day away.  It took me a 2-3 miles to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace, but once I did, I was able to maintain it the rest of the way.

Up early to run at the gym, which meant that I was tired.  I just told myself that I at least will be able to sleep in over the next couple of days.  It took 2 miles for me to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  I maintained it for 3 more miles and then increased my pace to a 9:50 minute/ mile for the last 2 miles.

10 Miles - On the Treadmill!  This was not my initial plan, but it was cold, misty and just nasty outside.  I wasn't sure if the rain was going to pick up or not.  I took my dogs for a walk and even they were shivering.  I sucked it up, got changed and went to the gym.  My run went better than expected, as in I didn't hate it.  I am used to running there during the week, but I really look forward to my runs outside on the weekends.  I kept my pace very moderate as I didn't want my right leg to bother me as it does when I run faster on the treadmill.  I also ran it in two 5 mile shifts, because if I don't the treadmill will automatically go to a cool down after an hour.  Sportscenter and some really bad reality tv kept me company for the duration.

My weight of 113.5 was post-run.

It was cold this morning!  But, I was happy to get to run outside.  It had been over a week (5K) since I had run outside and almost two weeks since I had run outside near our house.  I was able to get 10 miles in, which was my goal.  I thought a lot about work, but was able to clear my head a little bit.  It was a really good run.  I finished in about 1:43.