Running for Jen

My run this afternoon was my first one since the half marathon on Saturday.  My quads were still a tad tight, but I felt that 2 1/2 days rest was enough.  I decided to run 5 versus anything higher just to ease my way back in.  In the past, my legs have felt tired on that first one after racing, therefore, I didn't want to do too much.  I chose to run after work so that I could sleep and give my legs the additional rest.  I felt good out there and kept a nice pace.  I finished in 50:50, which I was very happy about. 

I am planning on getting back to my normal schedule in the morning.

I decided to run at the gym this morning.  I felt pretty good considering the lack of sleep.  I took two miles for me to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace.  At mile 5, I was able to take it up to a 9:50 pace, which I maintained until I was finished.

I was back at the gym this morning.  I felt a bit more tired today than I did yesterday.  Once again, it took me a couple of miles to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace.   I was able to get up to a 9:50 pace by mile 5.

I ran outside this morning, because I was off, due to family being in town and because I woke up earlier than I anticipated.  I actually had a good run on my four loop course, which I was happy about.  These runs have been pretty bad in the past, but I finished in 1:15:46.  It was very cold.  This was my first run of the year that included running tights and a hat.

I ran with my group this morning, which I was looking forward to.  It was nice not to run by myself.  I ran with one of my friends for the first 10 miles, which went well.  I then finished the final 7 on my own since I am the only one in training right now.  I finished in 3:09:+, which was fine with me.  I was just happy to feel good throughout.  The weather was cold again, with starting temperatures in the low 30's.  It was clear, which made for a nice morning run.  It was also nice to run on campus as people were already out tailgating for today's game.  We also passed by the marching band practicing, which I always enjoy listening to.

I actually ran a double today, although you can't tell by the mileage.  My plan was to go 7 this morning, but I had some GI issues that forced me to stop at 5 1/2 miles.  I decided that I would do my best to leave work on time and run this afternoon with my dogs.  I was able to follow my plan and ran 2 1/2 miles with my dogs.  It went well for the most part, with the only issue being that one of my dogs was pulling a bit.  He also saw a squirrel, which almost caused me to fall.  My legs felt tired on both runs.  This mornings portion was cold and dark, with temperatures in the low 30's.  It was nice and comfortable this afternoon.

I went to the gym this morning to get my run in.  I felt a bit off today, but was able to get to my 10:00 minute/ mile pace by the start of mile 3.  I was able to finish the last four miles at this pace and feel alright.

I decided to run this afternoon so that I could get some sleep this morning. I was able to leave work on time and be out the door 15 minutes after getting home. I had a pretty good run. My mind was on work the whole time as I was trying to figure out how to deal with an issue going on there. Due to the recent time change, I was also running against the clock as I prefer not to run when it is dark in the evening. I completed my run in 1:12;14, which is really good for me these days. It seemed as though my pace was between 9:50 and 10:05, the times that I checked it.

I was at the gym this morning for my run.  I was a bit tired, but felt alright.  I had what has now become my typical run.  After a couple of miles, I was at my 10:00 minute per mile pace.  I didn't take it up any further until the last 3/4 of a mile.

I did not have the best run in the world this morning.  I went to the gym as planned, but I never felt very strong.  I was able to get to my 10:00 minute pace by the start of mile 3, which is what I have been doing lately, but it was a bit of a struggle to maintain at times.  I slowed down on at least a couple of occasions to a walk, just to give myself a bit of a breather.  I maintained my pace until 6.25, where I took it up to a 9:50 pace to finish.

There is nothing easy about 18 miles, but it do go better than I originally anticipated.   I got up feeling a bit tired, but nothing out of the ordinary.  My husband started off my morning well by wishing me a happy birthday the minute I got up.  I met a couple of members of my group at 6:00am who also remembered my birthday and had a card and tiara for me to wear for the morning.  I ran all 18 miles with that tiara on my head.  I was able to run the first 4 miles with the girls, but unfortunately they both had to leave due to family commitments.  The last 14 miles, I was on my own.  At about mile 6, I ran into three of the guys that are in the group and touched base with them to map out where I should go and still remain safe.  I followed their guidance and eventually ran on to the UGA campus by around mile 12.  It is amazing how quiet things are around town when Georgia plays football out of town, but close enough where people can go.  Campus was desolate.  I took advantage of it and even ran around the UGA track , which was open at around mile 14.  Needless to say, the track was very nice.  I finished up in 3:12:14, which is only about 3 minutes slower than last week, when I ran 17 miles.  I guess I had a good day!

I woke up with a sore throat on Sunday, my scheduled off day.  By Monday, the overwhelming desire to sleep kicked in.  I was scheduled to run that afternoon and had nothing in me to do it.  It was raining outside, which didn't help.  I took some Tylenol 8 Hour with the hope that it would kick out any fever that I might be developing.  On Tuesday, I was going to try again, but the same feeling was going on with the addition of a stuffed nose.  

By Wednesday, I just had to do something, therefore my husband and I got the dogs and put them on their leashes for a mile or so walk out in the cold.  The fresh air felt nice, but it wasn't as good as I was hoping.  My nose is a combination of running and stuffed.  

These were walking miles.  

I told myself that if I woke up and felt okay that I would go to the gym and at least try to walk.  Needless to say, I did feel alright and hit the treadmill.  I skipped my morning fuel for sleep knowing that I probably wasn't going to be pushing it very hard.  Walking was all I could muster, but I am glad that I did it.  Exercising does make me feel better.

I actually ran this morning.  It was beyond slow, but it was a run.  Same plan as yesterday, although I did get up a few minutes earlier.  I did feel what felt like a sinus headache, therefore after I got home and showered I tried some sinus medicine to see if it would help. I told myself that I would attempt to run this morning.  It actually felt better than walking since my shin was hurting this morning.  I am assuming that it was bothering me due to the walking I did yesterday.  It felt as though someone kicked me right in the leg.  It is not the first time that I have felt this, which is why I am making the assumption.  I did have to pause at least once a mile to go blow my nose.  This was the only time of the day in which my nose was not stuffed up.  

I am schedule for my final 20 tomorrow.  I am just going to wake up tomorrow and see what happens.

I was scheduled to go 20 this morning, but with this cold that I am carrying, I told myself just to do the best that I could.  I ran the 1st 6 miles with a friend from my running group.  Once she had to leave, I decided just to go back in the same direction we just came from.  I am glad I did since I needed to take a quick bathroom break at the local hospital, which was a little past mile 8.  I still felt okay and continued on for another couple of miles before turning around.  On my return, I started feeling a little tired.  At this point, I was over the 10 mile mark and was just happy to get there.  I was also running out of tissues which were necessary when running while others can see you.  I told myself that I would head back to where I started and that if I felt good that I would keep going, if not, I would call it a day.  The last two miles, I was really feeling fatigued, having to walk a few times.  I finished at 15 miles and consider it a good day considering how the week went.  The only question now is do I attempt 20 next weekend or just not worry about it.

It was so nice to have a good nights sleep.  I didn't officially get up until 8:00am.  I went through my normal routine, including walking my dogs before I went for my run. My body felt good today, unfortunately, my head wasn't as I still have this cold/ sinus problem.  I became one with my Kleenex again.  I look forward to the day that I am not blowing my nose every 10-15 minutes.  I had what felt like a sinus headache throughout my run, which eventually became worse as I became close to finishing.  I would have taken something beforehand, but the current otc drug that I am taking recommends eating with it, and I was concerned that I didn't have enough food in me to take it prior to my run.  I finished in just over an hour and 26 minutes, which is fine with me. The weather was pretty good for running, overcast and in the 50's.

I had to get out the door about an hour earlier than yesterday due to an appointment that I have this morning.  It was very blah out this morning, 50's with some mist.  This was probably not the best day to try out some wireless headphones that I received for my birthday, but of course, me being me, really wanted to see how they would work.  They are pretty cool.  I felt a little tired this morning, not as sharp as I did yesterday.  I completed my 7 miles in 1:17+.

I slept in until 7:30 this morning and was out the door by 9:00am.  Unfortunately, this sinus/ cold thing that I have reared its ugly head this morning.  The front of my head pounded for a good part of my run.  I considered cutting it to 7 miles, but knew that the rest of my body felt good enough to go the 8. Needless to say, I went through my standard amount of Kleenex as well.  Temperatures were in the 50's again and the sun actually joined my for most of the time.  I finished in 1:28 +, which is nothing to write home about, but considering the head pain, I am alright with it.

I met a friend of mine this morning for a short run before the cooking would begin.  It was in the 50's and misty out, very blah.  We ran about 5 miles and then walked about a 1 1/4 miles.  It was nice to run with someone during the week.

My run today was awful.  It took everything I had to get through it.  I am not even going to note the time it took me to complete it.  It was rainy and in the 50's.  My legs were just not moving well.  I was hoping that after a couple of miles I would feel better, but that didn't happen.  Today was just not my day.  It happens.  Hopefully, my 16 tomorrow will be better.

It was another cold, but clear Saturday morning run.  I was able to get started with a friend of mine at 6:30.  Temperatures were in the mid to upper 30's.  We ran together for the first 8.25 miles, with some friends joining us at around mile 6.  By mile 8 1/2, I was on my own and felt good.  I decided to finish out my run on campus, with today being the last home football game of the season.  This town cracks me up!  When I got just past the stadium, which was close to 9:00am, I noticed that the tailgaiting had already begun.  What cracks me up about this is that the game is not until 7:45 tonight.  The game is over 10 hours from starting!  People were already out grilling and having a good time.  Even the marching band was out practicing.  I hit mile 16 with a little bit of distance to go before I would get to my car, so I decided to run it out, which gave me the extra 1/4 of a mile.

I got up this morning earlier than I anticipated.  Since I felt kind of blah, I thought that I would get up and go for a run.  I usually take today off, but thought that if I ran today that I could take tomorrow off, which would make things a bit easier on me.  I felt good out there and just enjoyed the music that I was listening to.  The weather was in the upper 30's and I went through my Kleenex until I managed to drop the packet somewhere.    My only concern today was that when I finished, got inside and blew my nose for the twentieth time, my nose started bleeding.  It took a good few minutes for it to stop, but obviously it did.  Hopefully, that won't happen again anytime soon.

I decided to go to the gym this morning after taking yesterday off.  I was at my 10:00 minute pace by the start of mile 3.  I was able to complete my workout without any issues.