Running for Jen

This was my first run since the half on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day for a run.  It was even better than usual, because I was able to sleep in first (today was suppose to be a teacher planning day, but we were furloughed instead).  My quads were still a bit sore, although not as much as yesterday.  I didn't plan on running a specific time or distance, I just thought that I would see what I could do without feeling too worn out.  I felt good for the first three to four miles, but started to feel tired as I approached mile 5.  At that time, I thought that it would be in my best interest to just head on home. 

I plan on getting my regularly scheduled 8 miles in tomorrow.

I was a little bummed about the distance as I was hoping to get 8 miles in.  I did my best to leave work on time so that I could get my run in before the sun went down.  I was able to get out by 4:15, which was a bit later than I had hoped.  I was able to get home, get dressed and get out the door by 4:50pm.  The weather was good, cooling off as the sun went down.  I felt pretty good overall, the only issue being that I needed to use the potty.  I chose not to stop in the hopes that I the feeling would pass, but between the sun going down and the feeling coming back (I am convinced that my body knows how close it is to a restroom), I decided to head towards home after mile 6 versus continuing on which would have given me the additional mile.  I may have been able to get the last mile in prior to total darkness, which is what disappointed me.  My legs were still a bit tired by the end, which is either from the race, work or a combination of both.  I finished the 7 miles in just over an hour and eleven minutes.  

I ran today at the gym.  I felt pretty good, beginning with my typical warm-up and then running my typical 10:00 minute miles the rest of the way.  I was happy to get up to 7.5, especially since I have only been able to make it to 7 miles at the gym these past few weeks.

I completed today's run at the gym.  My legs felt tired at the start, probably due to a lack of sleep.  I started at a slower than normal pace to warm up, but eventually got to my standard 10:00 minute mile during mile 2.  I continued the 10:00 minute mile pace through mile 6 and finished mile 7 at a 9:50 pace.  

It was cold at the start of this run.  It was in the upper 30's, therefore I was blowing my nose every mile for 3 hours.  I started out a big sluggish, but at about the halfway point, I realized that I would be good to go for the rest of my run and finished feeling good.  It took just over 3 hours, but I did not focus on time.  I just wanted to comfortable get through the mileage.

Weight of 111lbs was post-run.

It was another cold one this morning, with temperatures hovering around the mid-30's at the start.  It was sunny and beautiful.  I felt good during the entire run although it did take me a while to get through it.  It was nice to get a good nights sleep prior to my run.

I ran into the dark tonight.  I got off work as soon as I could and got home so that I could run.  I was hoping for at least 8 miles, which I was able to get in.  Unfortunately, it became dark during my last mile, which I didn't love.  I didn't necessarily feel unsafe, but I really prefer not to run in the dark.  I felt good, and found that I picked up the pace once I could see that the sun was going down faster than I was running.

I ran at the gym this morning.  My legs felt tired, probably because this was my eighth day straight of running.  I will be taking a much needed day off tomorrow.  It took a couple of miles for me to finally feel loose.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran 10:00 minute miles for miles 2-6 and finished mile 7 at a 9:50 pace.  I thought that I may not be able to complete the distance, but I was able to do so, thankfully.

Just a typical morning at the gym.  Warmed up for the first mile and then ran miles 2 - 6 at a 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  Finished the last mile at a 9:50 pace.  Considering the lack of sleep from the night before, I felt pretty good throughout.

I ran 7 miles at the gym.  It was a fairly typical morning.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran miles 2-5 at a 10:00 minute per mile pace and then finished miles 6 and 7 at a 9:50 minute/ mile pace.  

This was a beautiful morning for a run.  I would say that it was in the upper 40's when I started.  It was sunny the whole time, warming up nicely throughout, although never getting too warm.  I always worry a bit at the start that I may not have a good morning, but today worked out just fine.  My time wasn't anything to write home about, finishing in over 3:15, but I never felt too tired.  I just felt as if I could keep going.  It always feels so good to be able to run that way for that long.

 I was at 112 pounds post-run.

It was yet another beautiful morning for a run.  It was cold aka, nose-blowing weather, but it was nice.  I felt pretty good outside of having to go to the bathroom for the last 3 miles.  It was nice to get a decent night's sleep prior to this run.

I was a bit tired for this one, but didn't really realize it until I actually got on the treadmill and needed to slow the pace down for the warmup.  I warmed up for the first mile and ran the final six at a 10:00 minute per mile pace.  I had just enough time to get the seven in, cool down for a couple minutes and make my way back home.

I was in a foul mood at the start of this one.  My husband was kind enough to go with me since he saw how frustrated I was from work. One of the good things about him coming with me is that the pace was definitely faster.  We were going to run about 7 or 8, but cut it short due to a blister on his foot, the sky becoming dark and the fact that I still needed to bake a cake for the next day.  Of course, I felt better when we were done.

I had a pretty good 7-miler this morning.  I felt pretty good throughout, which is kind of unusual after running the previous evening.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran the next 5 at a 10:00 minute/ mile pace and finished at a 9:50 minute/ mile pace.  

It took me a while to get moving at my normal pace.  I usually warm up for the first mile and then make sure that I am running at least a 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  It took me until 3.5 miles to get there.  I finished the next 2.5 at at 10:00 minute pace and then the final mile at a 9:50 minute/ mile pace.

These miles maybe listed as "easy", but there was nothing easy about them.  This wasn't a bad run, but I was happy/ relieved when it was over.  It was cold when I started and pretty much stayed that way throughout.  I was out there for a little over 3 hours running my normal route.  This was a rough week work-wise, which is probably why I felt a bit tired. 

Funny note ( a bit TMI for some), I ran out of tissues at around the halfway point, therefore I had to resort to the "air hanky" and my sleeve.  I always feel so unlady-like at these moments, but it was my only option while out there.  I am actually feeling a little too comfortable doing it.  

I was at 110lbs post-run.

It was so nice to run after having a good nights sleep.  I am off from work this week (part furlough, part holiday), so I went to the gym later than usual.  Eight miles at the gym is not what I would call fun, but I do try and mix running outside and running at the gym for the change of scenery.  It is also cold and rainy, therefore running indoors is probably not such a bad idea.  I warmed up for my first mile, ran the next 4 at a 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  Since I was feeling decent, I decided to run the last 3 miles at a 9:50 minute/ mile pace.

I took this one to the streets of Athens and enjoyed it for the most part (this was one of my two typical routes).  Of course, it was chilly in the morning, not too cold, but cold enough that I become one with my Kleenex.  I really didn't concern myself with time as I just want to get through my runs comfortably.  I say that, but what I really mean is that my times haven't been very good and I am hoping that all will be better come race day, which is now 3 1/2 weeks away.

I ran these miles at the gym this morning.  I was a little thrown off at first because Sportscenter was not available upon my arrival, but fortunately, after about a 1/2 mile in, the gym staff was able to get the cable working.  It is funny how accustomed you get to things.  I listened to my Ipod in the interim, but if felt different.  My run itself was fine.  I warmed up for the first mile and ran miles 2-6 at a 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  I finished the last 2 at a 9:50 pace.  I still felt my right leg overpronating more than it should by the last 2-3 miles, but this is becoming more of the norm.

My minimum goal this morning was to get 8 miles in.  The route that I ran actually gets me about 8.75.  I wound up running on an additional road that I had yet to run on, which gave me an additional .75 miles.  I felt good and it was nice to know that I now have additional mileage that I can add, especially since I am scheduled to go 20 on Saturday.  I really dislike doing too many up and backs so this will definitely help.  It was cold out to start with plenty of sunshine.

I ran at the gym this morning.  I felt fine throughout, but it seemed to drag at points.  I was definitely happy to be done.  I warmed up for the first mile, ran miles 2-5 at at 10:00 minute/ mile pace and finished the last 2 miles at a 9:50 pace.

My weight of 112lbs was post-run.

I am very happy to report that I ran my final (and only) 20 today with success.  I had attempted 20 one other time this training season and I had to stop at 18:25 (I replaced the other 20 on my schedule with a half marathon), therefore I was happy that I was able to complete this run with no problems.  It was in the low 30's when I started with the sun coming up.  I am always concerned when I start these long runs as to how they are going to go, but I felt fine the whole way.  I finished in just over 3:30 and this included two bathroom stops at local fast food establishments and going through a packet of tissues along the way.

I am also very happy to report that I broke the 60-mile marker for the week for the first time ever!  This is a big achievement for me.

Weight of 111.5 was post-run.

My goal was to run at least 8 miles today, therefore, I was very happy to get 9 miles in.  I decided to just listen to some music and enjoy my run.  It was cold, but that is now the norm (this is something that I am still getting used to).  

I did notice that my shin was sore for the rest of that day, as if someone kicked me in it, but fortunately the pain was gone by the next day.