Running for Jen

Well, today is my second day of subbing and I have chosen to run beforehand since I know I won't want to do it afterwards.  I was a bit tired, but felt alright on the treadmill at the gym.  I ran my typical workout and will be happy for a day off tomorrow.

We had a really nice run this morning.  We decided to run our regular flat course instead of the Athens half to give ourselves a break, both physically and mentally.  It was a nice morning of running and girl talk.  We ran the first ten and then walked the last 3/4 of a mile.  This was a really good way to start the weekend.

I wanted to get up at 6:30 this morning so that I could run before joining friends for breakfast, but didn't set the alarm.  I guess my body agreed, because I woke up at exactly 6:30 and was able to get 8 miles in before breakfast.  Because it was early, the weather outside wasn't too bad, it was actually overcast which helped.  I even ran my harder of the two routes that I run, which was also felt good.  I maintained a decent pace and ran the hills, so therefore I was a happy camper this morning.  

With today being Labor Day, my husband and I slept in, therefore, I didn't hit the pavement until way after 9:00am.  It also was rainy this morning.  I was rained on for part of my run and loved it!  It has been so long since I have seen rain that I honestly don't remember the last time I saw any.  It was humid, but the light rain felt good.  Time still terrible, but I just didn't care since I felt alright.

I did not realize how cool it was going to be this morning (60's).  I was pleasantly surprised, although my legs didn't really seem to appreciate the weather.  I felt alright, but was definitely dragging.  I was hoping that the cooler air and the on and off rain would help push me, but unfortunately it didn't.  I completed my distance and got home as fast as I could as nature was also calling during the last 3 + miles.

Since I picked up a half day sub job this morning, I decided to run as soon as I got home.  My dogs weren't too thrilled, but I knew that I would need to get out the door soon after or I wouldn't want to do it.  It was nice and cool and overcast early this afternoon.  I wound up having a really good run.  I was able to maintain a good pace(at least good in comparison to what I have been doing the past few months) and finished in 1:01:43.

When there wasn't any work available at 6:00am, I decided to go back to bed.  When I woke up a couple of hours later, I checked again and found a job for this afternoon.  This was perfect as it gave me time to walk the dogs and get a run in.  I ran 5 miles, which were a mix of slow and not that bad.  The air was nice and cool, with the sun providing some heat.  I didn't feel great, but that was due to cramps and a bit of leg fatigue.  I will be taking a break from running tomorrow, which should help the legs out a bit.

I went with my husband to Macon last night, which is why I was so tired this morning.  I slept in the car on the way home, which helped, but it is not the same as sleeping straight through.  I met with my friend as usual and we ran part of the Athens Half course, which neither of us care for.  The other members of our group were running this way, which is why we did.  We felt alright and forced ourselves up those hills.  Conversation as usual, was great.  Once again, a great way to start the weekend.

I decided last night that I may actually run another marathon, in 10 weeks.  This, I know is probably crazy, or, my best idea ever.  To see if I am even ready to do this and with time ticking, I decided to run 12 miles this morning to see how I would feel.  I also used the SmartCoach function on Runnersworld.com for a potential training schedule, at least for my long runs, since the race that I have potentially selected is only 10 weeks away and I should have run 12 yesterday.  Did I mention that this race is also being held the day prior to my 40th birthday. I am happy to report that I felt really good this morning.  I ran an average pace of 10:27, which may not sound good to most people, but it was pretty good for me lately.  I felt good the whole time.  I finally put some water out there and just enjoyed my music and the beautiful cool weather.

I had a sub job planned for today, therefore I got up at 4:30 am to get my run in at the gym.  It is still too warm in the afternoon to consider running after work.  I was a bit tired, but once I got going I was alright.  I did have some stomach issues this morning, which led to having to stop on a couple of occasions.  I did run my typical pace, with the exception of mile 4, when i really had to "go", which I wound up running very fast to get to the next mile marker ( I have a thing about not stopping between miles).

I slept fairly well last night, but still felt tired this morning.  Since there were no jobs available, I slept in and then walked the dogs before my run.  It was at least 8:30am, by the time I got out the door, but it still felt cool outside.  It has been so nice running in this weather.  I had some technical problems at first with my ipod, but once that was straightened out, I was good to go.  I felt good, not great, feeling a tad sluggish up the hills.  I was happy to complete 7 miles as I had considered 6 at one point.

I was a bit tired when I got up this morning, but that wasn't too surprising given the amount of sleep that I had.  I had a sub job today, which is why I got up early to run.  I ran at the gym, but had a couple of treadmill issues.  One of them actually stopped soon after I got started.  Once I got settled on a machine with no problems, I found myself tired and allowed myself to slow down to a walk at every mile.

I haven't run this far since my last marathon in December.  It felt nice to be able to complete the distance and still feel pretty good.  My only issue was that I felt pain in my shin around mile 5 that never went away.  I am assuming that it is a shin splint, but am not sure.  It is uncomfortable now, but will hopefully subside as the day goes on.  The weather was cool, in the 50's.  I actually got to run in a long sleeve shirt!  It felt so nice not to be sweating profusely.

My husband and I slept in big time this morning.  We were both wiped out, especially after attending the Georgia game yesterday.  I was able to get out this morning and enjoy the cool weather.  It was overcast for the most part, but the sun did start to shine through towards the end.  My pace was slow, which surprised me at first, because I started out well.  My shin splint pain did feel better, but I did feel some new pain, which I think is my achilles or my lower calf.  It didn't stop me at all, but I did feel it with every step.  I am also seeing what might be some minor swelling on my shin.

The first 3 miles of this run were not pleasant.  I didn't feel awful, but I lacked the positive energy that I would have liked to have.  I took yesterday off to rest the shin splints.  The leg felt better today and since I was able to sleep in, I thought that I would feel better out there.  My legs felt heavy and tired.  I slowed down to a walk multiple times.  At around mile 3, mother nature called.  Chick-fil-A was kind enough to let me stop in and use there facilities.  Once I got back out there, my legs felt a bit stronger. My time was still terrible, but at least I felt better than when I started and I did run at least 6 miles.

This was not one of my better runs at the gym.  I was tired and just not quite right.  I wasn't sick or hurt, but I just lacked that oomph that I usually get once I get going.  I was able to complete my mileage, which was something I was starting to question.

This was a lousy run.  I felt kind of blah and slow the entire time.  I was just happy to complete it.

I couldn't fall back asleep after waking up at 4:30, so I decided to just get up a little after 5:00am.  I ran the first 10 miles with my running buddy and then ran the final 6  on my own.  My shin felt fine the whole way through.  My goal was to run 16 miles as I am tentatively planning on running another marathon.  I am trying to see how my body is reacting to the increase in mileage on my long runs and to see how I am handling it mentally.  I actually considered cutting it a bit short, but then reminded myself that I had no reason not to do it.  I was tired by the end, but felt good overall.  I knew that if I didn't run 16 today, that I would have to rule out the marathon that I am considering.

Ideally, I would have just gotten up this morning as soon as I woke up and got myself out the door.  Instead, I slept in and got out close to 10:00am.  The down side of what I wound up doing is that I really didn't even want to run, whereas I wanted to more first thing this morning.  Anyhow, I did get out there and got 7 miles in, which I am happy about.  For a few minutes, I thought that I was only going to get 6 in, but recognized that there was no reason for me not to go 7 (except that I sorta-kinda had to use the restroom).  My legs felt a bit tired, but they were okay.

I knew last night that I would want to run this morning.  I am so glad that I did.  I decided to go to the gym, mainly because it was so early in the morning (sub job today).  I got right to it and didn't have any issues.  I did have to make one pit stop, which wasn't an issue.  I followed my normal pattern for the most part.  This is the first time in quite a while that I have run 7 miles on the treadmill.  It felt good to feel good.

I was only scheduled to sub for a half a day, so I decided to run afterwards.  I was tired and a bit frustrated when I got home (the kids were a bit rough today).  It was also hot, but I got dressed and got myself out there.  It had to be in the mid-80's, but thankfully there was a breeze.  I struggled, but completed the distance.  There was definitely some walking involved, but I was glad that I did it when I was done.

My plan was to run 7 this morning, but due to time constraints, I was only ablt to get 6 in.  This was a nice run as I thoroughly enjoyed watching Sportscenter (I am a Rays and Mets fan).  I felt good throughout!