10 miles to make it all better [Training Day 268 Sunday 9/25]

10 miles
1:46 time
10:40 pace

This was a much better day than Friday.  All the way around.  I wanted to start the week fresh since I'm having a little "female procedure" done first thing tomorrow morning that will put me out of the running loop for a couple of days.  I plan on walking tomorrow evening.  Even around the block will be better than nothing.  I plan on walking again Tuesday.  After that, I'm headed back to the gym & the road!

{the good} It rained on us!  It was cooler!  Not a single yellow jacket went out of their way to sting me!  My husband went with me so I didn't have to run alone!  So many good things about this run.  Too many to list, really.  So I'll shut up.

{the ugly} The chaffing.  It did rain on us pretty hard for a couple of miles.  It spit and drizzled here and there, too.  We were so drenched by the time it was said and done.  I have the weirdest chaffed areas.  My belly button ranks #1.  It hurts like crazy, and my pants keep rubbing it.  I have never had a chaffed belly button before.  I hope it never happens again.

Heat, yellow jackets, and a mystery angel [Training Day 266 Fri 9/23]

Zensah compression leg sleeves

10 miles
forgot the pace???
forgot the time???

I keep forgetting to log my runs and cross training here on the blog.  I pinky swear I'm following through.  I have the jacked up feet to prove it.  Not to mention, areas of my body that should not be chaffed....are chaffed.  Ouch!

This was a slow, horrible run.  I spoke to an elderly man on a bike for what had to be a mile.  He was harmless...just wanted someone to talk to.  So did I.  I'll tell you more about him below.

The heat has been spiking in the afternoon, and afternoon has been the only time I can find to run.  This run took place pretty early in the morning compared to what I've been able to squeeze into my schedule lately, so I was jazzed to get out while it was cool.  Silly me for thinking.  It was hot & very humid.  To top it off, the yellow jackets have been SWARMING around here like mad.  I know the rotten blackberries that seem to be all over the place in this part of the country aren't helping any.  They are super attracted to the berries this time of year, but COME ON.  Due to the swarming sting happy critters, I headed off the train (not in my plan - of course), went up a huge hill (which I am no longer trained to do apparently), and prayed that the run would be over ASAP (I think my chat with the elderly man helped).  I haven't been this mentally miserable during a run in a very long time.

{the good}  The old man who slowed down on his bike to chat with me.  I swear he was an angel.  I'm not kidding.  I had been crying during part of this run because I'm somewhat sick of life in general right now.  I'm simply not in a good place.  I hate living here.  I hate that we moved here. I hate that I haven't made a single good friend here that I can call up & invite to lunch or a movie. I hate seeing my kids miss Ohio to the point they feel ill.  I hate not being able to find a job.  I hate watching our savings account being drained month after month of my not having a job.  I hate that we've already spend over $400 on doctor co-pays this month between physical therapy, pre-op appointments, autism therapy, family therapy, etc. (...and the month isn't even over yet!).  These thoughts have been going through my head since we moved here, but I kept telling myself to give it a chance.  Time is simply not making things better.  Needless to say, during my emotional crying jag during the run, the weight of the world was on my shoulders.  I felt so totally alone, and all of a sudden, there he was.  The elderly man on his bike.  We had an amazing conversation for about a mile of my run.  He opened with asking if I ran last Sunday's Race For The Cure.  I said Yes.  (I have no idea how he knew that.  I didn't have on anything that would indicate I ran that race.  I did, however, have on my bubblegum pink Zensah compression calf sleeves.  Maybe that reminded him of the race?  Who knows.)  Anyway, he told me the story about his mother who fell ill to cancer many, many years ago.  How people often times thing/feel as though fundraising to find a cure for such diseases is nonsense or a waste of time.  He went on to tell me how a very young nephew of his had cancer a few years ago, and the cancer is no in remission due to new medications discovered thanks to people like me who raise money.  To say the least, it was a very touching story.  I ran the last two miles strong.  Feeling really great.  I swear to you....he was an angel sent to me.

{the ugly}  Seriously?  The entire thing.  Other than the conversation with my mystery angel.  :)

6 miles that weren't meant to be? [Training Day 263 Tue 9/20/11]

6 miles
interval training

Today was not supposed to be an interval day, but my body is so tired from Sunday's race I really couldn't do anything more.  I started off tired.  I woke up tired.  Tried to get some work done tired.  Continued through my entire day tired.  Did I mention I'm tired?

The run was supposed to take place this morning, but I couldn't get my ass in gear.  Before I knew it, the day had slipped away from me.  I headed out the door around 3pm.  It was super hot.  My water bottles tasted like dish soap for some reason (didn't get rinsed enough???).  I was sucking air the entire run.  Ahhh! I clued in to the fact that I was needing to stop every half mile due to my poor energy level.  So I kept that up until my body couldn't take it any longer.  Needless to say, I'm glad it's over. At least I got in a few miles, but I wish I would have waited until tomorrow.

{the good}  I can listen to the theme song of tonight's Biggest Loser season premier & not feel guilty.  "What have you done today to make you feeeeeeel PROUD?"

{the ugly}  Everything from the run to my attitude.

A new PR while racing for the cure!

by Gracie and Me Designs

As we all know, I run for coffee.  That's a given for me.  I even had the good fortune of having a sweet friend make a necklace for me that helps me proclaim my love for both running and coffee.  I wear it often. [Side Note: She has lots of running bling to offer...be sure to check out her etsy shop.]

Some of you might not know that I often times run for reasons other than coffee consumption.  Yesterday morning, I ran for those I know who have been touched in some way by breast cancer.  For instance, Barbara, the gal who made my awesome necklace.  My grandma.  An aunt.  Friends from childhood battling the disease as we speak.  It's amazing how many people in our lives have been touched by breast cancer in one way or another.  On September 18th, I ran Portland's Race For The Cure 5k.

• With the hope of beating breast cancer, I ran for those who cannot run.  
• With the hope of beating breast cancer, I ran for those suffering.  
• With the hope of beating breast cancer, I ran for survivors.

It's the least I could do.  I posted on facebook that I was on my way to run this race, and received the sweetest, most touching emails and comments as I ran.  I honestly think all of those good vibes helped me....even though I didn't know the messages were coming in because I had my ringer turned off for the race. Much to my surprise, I made a new personal record!  I like to think that happened because of the kind words flooding in my way.  Thoughts are powerful.  Words are mighty.  Actions are beyond meaningful.  To those who reached out and commented on the morning of the 18th, thank you.


Here are a few pictures I managed to snap before the race.  It was such a rainy, gloomy day.  The images turned out kind of blurry....

Nothing more fun than eating a banana handed to you by a banana.

A breast cancer super hero!

Dave's Killer Bread.  (I cannot wait for them to come out with a gluten free line.)

Pink bottles of water.  Cute!

Yes, that's a mighty pink wig she's wearing.  She totally pulled off the look!

The sun decided to come out AFTER the race....of course.

Last, but not least....WILL RUN FOR COFFEE!

So....how'd I do?

Portland's Race For The Cure 5k

28:16 time
9:06 pace

I beat my old 5k race time by 1 minute 7 seconds!  Woohoooooooo!  I went from a 9:27 pace to 9:06 in a matter of 7 months.  I guess all this running, blood, sweat, tears, cross training, physical therapy, and determination is paying off.  :)

{the good} This was the first time my kids were allowed to go with us & hang out at the finish line as my husband and I ran the race.  Both kids begged to go with us the night before.  With a lot of hesitation on my part, we finally told them yes.  Lots of "rules" regarding what they could and couldn't do while the race took place were inflicted upon them, but THEY LOVED IT!  Well, the mainly liked all of the free swag handed out in the vendor area.  lol  Their little backpacks were loaded with power bars, bottles of water, chocolate soy milk, lip balm samples, etc.  Another good part of this run was...my husband, Kent, ran it with me.  He also set a new PR for himself by running the race with an 8:30 pace! I've never seen him run that fast. Needless to say, it was a great run day for us both.

{the ugly}  There were a few ugly things.  Brace yourself for the first one on the list.  Trust me.

1)  The smell of the "homeless camp" as we ran past it.  Oh.....my......hell.  It was a smell that's simply indescribable.  The city of Portland seriously needs to do something about this issue.

2)  I had to stop and take a walk break about halfway.  I can't help but think my time would have been even more rockin' had I just kept running.  However, I felt like my lungs would explode.  I had NO CLUE how fast I was running because my Garmin loses GPS in the downtown area (grrr).  I was hauling ass until the last mile where I slowed waaaaay down.  With an end pace of 9:06, I had to be running the first two miles in the 8s.  Go me!  Basically,  that walk break was much needed. lol


3)  Too many people with strollers passed me.  Some of them were double strollers with preschoolers (not light infants).  What a slam to the old ego!

4)   I had to hit the porta potty ONE last time before the race started.  I got back to the start line just as the race started, but I was at the back of the pack instead of the front where I had been waiting before the potty break.  I have a feeling the pace could have been even better if I didn't have to weave around a sea of strollers and people walking the event.  Oh well!  That's what I get for drinking too much coffee before the race.  :)

More running related blog & web addresses

I think I'm done gathering new (to me) blog addresses that will soon be added to my "check out what I'm reading" list over on the sidebar.  With that being said, I so hope this is a complete list from everyone who took time out of their day to post me a blog comment, email, facebook note, etc. regarding this topic.  If I somehow missed you/your blog addy, please let me know.  I want to read your blog if you're reading mine!



www.mizfit.com www.mizfitonline.com


http://www.seekingbostonmarathon.com/


www.runsonpurpose.blogspot.com


http://eatreadsleeprun.blogspot.com/


www.bugsbees.blogspot.com


http://swimbikerundrink.wordpress.com


http://nevertrade.blogspot.com/


www.earnyourdonuts.blogspot.com


http://aspiration-perspiration.blogspot.com/


www.creatingnew.wordpress.com


http://gettogoal-lorid.blogspot.com/


http://www.shutupandrun.net/


http://buttoningmyjeans.blogspot.com


www.journeythrulifeblog.com


http://awellkeptlife.blogspot.com


http://lisasepiphany.blogspot.com/


www.runsonpurpose.blogspot.com

And I thought I was OVER the whole shin pain thang.....hmph. [Training Day 259 Fri 9/16/11]

9.1 miles (was supposed to be 10)
1:37:54 time
10:38 pace

As soon as I started running today, my shins started to hurt.  [Dun, dun dunnnnnnn.  Big, huge, ginormous, breathy....sigh.]  I honestly wanted to make a huge comeback this time around.   This injury was going to be different.  I was going to be immune from injury from this point on.  Bullet proof.  Speaking of, there's a song that's been on my ipod forever that I heard today while running down the trail with shins of fire.  They played it on Biggest Loser last season (or was it the season before?).  I dedicate this song to running during the whole "time off to heal the shin splints" time frame, and thought it was a kick in the face pants that it played today as I struggled my way down the path.  Have you hear it before?

Bullet Proof by La Roux (click here to watch video)Been there, done that messed around
I'm having fun, don't put me down
I'll never let you sweep me off my feet
I won't let you in again 

The messages I tried to send
My information's just not going in
Burning bridges shore to shore
I break away from something more
I'm not turned on to love until it's cheap
Been there, done that messed around
I'm having fun, don't put me down
I'll never let you sweep me off my feet 

This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof
This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof

I won't let you turn around
And tell me now, I'm much too proud
To walk away from something when it's dead
Do, do, do your dirty words
Come out to play when you are heard
There's certain things that should be left unsaid 

Tick, tick, tick, tick on the watch
And life's too short for me to stop
Oh baby, your time is running out
I won't let you turn around
And tell me now I'm much too proud
All you do is fill me up with doubt 

This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof
This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof
This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof
This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof

This injury....was supposed to be my big turning point.  Instead, it has been rather....common.  You can imagine my shock when I discovered I really have no super human powers that would make my shins stop burning.  It did get easier after mile 6 or so.  I had to stop a lot.  Every half mile or so.  That was irritating considering I wasn't going all that fast.  It's time to reach deep inside to pull out a few positives.

1. I did it.
2. This was my longest run in about 5 weeks (or longer).
3. I felt strong other than my shins burning.
4. I didn't reach out and smack the blonde, super model looking gal with a perfect ass as she FLEW past me...while pushing a stroller.
5. I feel good for getting in 9 miles.  Long runs are my weekly therapy session!
6. This 9.1 pushed me that much closer to the 1,000 mile mark for the year.  Only 306 to go. 

{the good}  All of the things I listed above.  No need to repeat it all.

{the ugly} I never went to my "happy place".  When pain is involved, I simply cannot get there.  So unfortunate.

I need more time in each day! [Training Day 258 Thur. 9/15/11]

Running
3 miles


Cardio/Toning
Power Hour Class 
at Marshall 1 hr.

I've had yet another busy week.  Meetings, appointments, consultations, etc.  I'm doing great remembering to pick up the basics at the grocery store.  Thank God for slow cookers or my family would starve!  I would love to say next week will be better, but that's not going to happen. Can we jump into October already?  I'm ready for life to slow down a bit.  I'm literally having to fit in exercise around the rest of the world, and I hate that.  Sigh.  If I only had one more hour in each day.  I might be able to squeeze it all in a bit better.

My shin is a little tender this morning.  I have a long run of 10 miles scheduled for today.  If it bugs me during the run, I might cut it short.  I have a race Sunday morning, Portland's Race For The Cure 5k, and would like to be able to set a new PR for myself.  Only time will tell, right?

{the good} I managed to put my foot down, and demand some gym time.  It was BLISS!

{the ugly}  I feel like I didn't see my kids much yesterday. [Insert frownie face here.]  Making the choice to go to the gym was healthy for me, but was it healthy for my family?  I'm afraid this is the question every mom asks herself.

11 miles as a 9/11 tribute run [Training Day 254 Sun 9/11/11]

7.5 miles
1:18 time
10:31 pace

I won't make this too long, or too sappy.  Sunday morning's run was a total tribute to those who lost everything on 9/11.  I'm working my way back into weekly long runs after several weeks off due to shin splints.  This was my longest run during my recovery phase.

As my husband and I warmed up, I dedicated this run to anyone & everyone impacted by 9/11 attacks.  I decided no matter how much I wanted to stop...I would keep going.  (Wanting to stop and needing to stop are two different balls of twine.)  No walk breaks for this gal.  That is, until my husband's IT band started hurting.  It was then that we cut what was supposed to be an 11 mile run to 7.5.  In all honesty, cutting it short was probably just as good for my shins as it was for his IT band!  11 would have really been pushing it at this point.  As we walked back home, we stopped by Peet's Coffee for an iced vanilla latte.  Perfect after a run on a hot, humid morning!

{the good}  Dedicating a run to someone helps me run stronger for some reason.  I started doing this about a year ago.  Sometimes I even go as far as calling the person while I'm running to let them know what I'm up to.  It's uplifting to the soul.  OH, and I saw Shelly A. helping out at the Max Muscle Tri.  I heard someone call my name, but thought they must be talking to "some other Heather".  I really don't know anyone or have friends here in Vancouver...even though I've lived here a year now.  So I was shocked when I realized it really was for me. lol

{the ugly} It was so hot!!!!!!!  And humid!!!!!!!!!!  BLAH!   I was totally sucking air the entire time.  Probably due to the humidity.  We simply don't get that humid here very often.  When it hits, nobody knows how to act. Also, we were holding back the pace at 10:30 thinking we had 11 mile to cover.  Had we known Kent's knee was going to blow out, we would have picked up the pace.  We could have easily run this one in the 9s.  Oh well.  This seems to be the story of our running lives. lol

Speed work day [Training Day 252 Fri 9/9/11]

2 miles
18 minutes
8:52 pace

Woohoooooooo! I ran two consecutive miles in 18 minutes.  That's a pace in the 8's for longer than one mile.  Does that not sound exciting to you?  You must be a fast runner.  I am not.  So this is a big deal to me!  The best part was, those 2 miles were on a treadmill where I am known to be even slower than usual.  There's no telling what kind of chaos could go down if I would have done the speed work outdoors.  Hopefully the temperatures outside will go down a bit, and I can return to my regular outdoor runs (including speed drills).

My physical therapist said I need to be working on speed. After researching the topic a little more seriously than all of the other times I had looked into it, I decided it's time to whip up a plan of action.  Low and behold, speed work works.  Never doubt Fartleks!  They work like a charm.  So do Yassos.

{the good} I just ran my fastest 2 miles ever!  OH MY HELL!!!!!!  I'm so excited.  I cannot wait to get a few more 5ks under my belt now that I'm working on speed.

{the ugly}  It was a treadmill run.  Despite having central air, the gym is hot this time of year.  I wish they would allow fans to blow on those of us using the treadmills & ellipticals!

Other bloggers or dailymile folks reading?

I keep meaning to ask this, and forget long before sitting down at the laptop.  Do any of you reading this have a blog of your own focused on running / exercise?  I would love for you to send me a link.  Either leave it as a comment here, or email it to me at willrunforcoffee at gmail dot com.  I like to add a link to your blog over on my sidebar.  Sadly, that's how I keep up with other bloggers, their training, etc.  Google reader overwhelms me.  I never have time to sit down and filter through all of the blogs on my list.  I've found it's easier to read blogs from runners who read my blog.  :)

Running, treadmill drills, and Power Hour [Training Day 251 Thu. 9/8/11]

Run 
3 miles
9:40 pace


Treadmill Drills
15 minutes
~ 5 minutes walking backward with incline on 3
~ 5 minutes walking briskly sideways incline on 3 (right leg leading)
~ 5 minutes walking briskly sideways incline on 3 (left leg leading)


Power Hour Class
1 hour
the cardio & toning class that I loooooove!

I hit the gym today.  Could it BE any hotter out?  Holy hell.  Why has summer decided to start now?  It's supposed to be fall.  It felt more like July than September.

Anyway, it was hot mess in the gym.  Sweat poured down my back, butt, legs, face the entire time I ran.  I ended up getting to the gym a bit late, so I had to cut my treadmill time WAY short.  I was supposed to get in 6 miles today.  Oh well!  There's always tomorrow....right?  The drills took longer than I had planned.  Actually, I forgot about them until I hopped onto the treadmill.  So that threw me off by a good 15 minutes. They're supposed to strengthen my calves & hips.  I'll blog about them another day.

After the treadmill was my Thursday night Power Hour class.  I was slipping and sliding all over my mat in class.  It didn't help that I was already drenched with sweat when class started.  It made for extra slippage! lol

{the good} I so love the classes I've been taking.  I have 4 per week that I dearly love.


{the ugly}  The treadmill hurts my shins.  I haven't had any shin pain at all....until I ran on the treadmill today.  Interesting considering that's the ONE thing my orthopedic doc really wanted to me work into my routine because it's supposed to be easier on your knees and shins.  Hmph.  Not for me.  I'm hitting the trail before tomorrow morning's Cardio Party class.  :)

Portland's 20th Annual Race For The Cure

Kent and I have decided to run Portland's 20th annual Race For The Cure on 9/18.  Why???  Well, because I had to bag this weekend's Pints To Pasta 10k this year since there's so much downhill.  With my shins still healing, running a downhill race would not be a good thing.  (It's also kind of a bummer to not partake in the beer and pasta part of Pints To Pasta now that I'm gluten free).  So Race For The Cure is flat, and the money goes to such a great cause. If you're running it & want to meet up with me....I'll the one wearing pink. Ha ha ha! I'm so friggin' hilarious this morning.

Need to register?  Here's a link to their web site: http://www.komenoregon.org/Race_for_the_Cure/Portland/  

Twas the night before the first day of school.... [Training Day 249 Tue 9/6/11]

Power Hour Class / 1 hour

cardio & toning

Twas the night before school starts, and all through the house, tweens and teens were anxious...driving their mother crazy with last minute purchases of school supplies they probably won't ever use, irrational thoughts, and oodles of "what if" scenarios.  

Oh my GOSH, I so did not want to go do this workout last night, but I did.  I seriously considered sitting in my car the entire hour, then going home.  If nothing else, just for a break from reality.  I felt better as soon as I got there - so I got out of my car.  I felt even better once the workout was over.  It was a nice way to blow off steam that had built up over the past few days leading up to the first day of school.  Both kids are in middle school this year.  It's the first time ever that they've attended the same school.  Riding the same bus together for the first time.  Having to deal with each other in a school setting for the first time.  Back in Ohio, schools were divided up in a  non-traditional way.  Preschool & Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th.....etc.  So my kids have never attended the same school.  Ever.  Until today.  Weird!

This morning, my abs are killing me.  Same with the backs of my thighs.  I seriously need to get better about logging my cross training workouts here on the blog.  Time slips away from me the second I step foot inside my house.  (Especially on a night like "back to school eve".  As you can imagine, things were chaotic last night.  The kids were both nervous & excited.  I remember that feeling.)

So I was going to tackle a 6 mile run between doctor appointments today.  Just to celebrate being alone for the first time in months.  Instead, I decided to make a pot of coffee, surf the web, and not run.  I know! What is wrong with me?  I long for days like this one, but when I get one I blow it.  I went to physical therapy this morning.  I feel like I got in an hour of working out. I was told my lower legs are to small, and "don't match the rest of my body proportionally speaking".  It was promptly followed with a "no offense or anything".  What the hell???  I'm not sure which way to be insulted.  My calves not looking like those of a runner....or the fact that you just called the rest of me ginormous.  Thanks!  Glad I dished out $20 to hear your opinion.  I get it!  I'm a fat ass!  Thanks for the reminder.  Is it my turn?  Do I get to insult you now, Ms, Physical Therapist?  Ohhhh, it doesn't work that way?  That's so unfortunate.  [Sigh]  

Wednesday is supposed to be my rest day (one of them, anyway).  So I'm going to let it be just that.  With a cup of coffee in hand, a stack of unread magazines that have been collecting all summer, and my new John Bingham book (An Accidental Athlete).  At least until I have to leave for my next appointment in an hour.  :)

Happy first day of school!!!!

Hood To Coast...the movie

To watch movie trailer, click here!

Those of us unable to run it.....watch it.  If you haven't seen Hood To Coast yet, you really should.  Even for people not into running, the movie is a fabulous documentary about an amazing journey.  It's difficult to see in the image above because it was so dark out, but we had a fabulous movie night outdoors over Labor Day weekend.  I picked up a copy of the movie at Fit Right Northwest.  If you were fortunate enough to see it in a theater, and thought seeing it in the theater was great - you should totally watch it outdoors....in the woods....IN OREGON!  It was like being there with the runners.  Right down to the smell of pine.  Amazing.  Watch the movie trailer here [link].  

Watching the movie outside was due to my love of ordering crap from Sky Mall magazine.  Thanks to me, we own a 12 foot tall inflatable movie screen.  It was worth every penny.  Movie night outdoors is a BLAST! We also watched Blair Witch a few weekends ago & The Village.  Two fabulous movies to watch outdoors in the woods. lol

If your local running store isn't selling the movie, pick it up on amazon.com....
Hood To Coast DVD 2 disc special edition
Hood To Coast special edition Blue-ray

Fastest 4.6 miles to date! [Training Day 246 Sat.9/3/11]

4.59 miles
43:59 minutes
9:34 pace

Mt. Hood fires filled the air with smoke...

Saturday morning, Kent and I woke up early, started the coffee pot, at a small breakfast, and left for what would end up being a 4.5 mile run.  We were aiming for 4 to 5 miles...so it worked out perfectly.

With multiple forest fires around the Mt. Hood area, the sky was filled with smoke.  It was actually a bit difficult to breathe.  Perhaps due to my asthma not jiving with the smoke filled air?  Or maybe because the air was full of smoke, and running in it was gross no matter what kind of lungs you've got? Who knows.  It was still a beautiful morning despite the air quality.  As the day went on, the winds changed, and made it even worse on our side of the mountain.  So I'm glad we ran early vs. late in the day.

Only once during the run did I feel that ripping/tearing/stinging shin pain.  One time.  At mile 2.89.  It only lasted a second.  Of course, it made me second guess myself, but I slowed the pace WAY down a bit for a little over a mile.  That decision served me well.  I was able to pick it back up again for the last mile, and managed to finish with my fastest time ever.  

Mile 1 9:02
Mile 2 9:25 (shin pain hit 2.89 miles into the run - boooo!)
Mile 3 10:32
Mile 4 9:19
Mile 5 9:42

I'm still worried about not hitting the 1,000 mile mark by year end.  I know it's "just a goal", but it's a goal that's really important to me.  I like to finish what I start.  I'm even more than worried about running my next half marathon (October 16th).  I don't see how I'm going to build back up to 10, 11, 12 mile long runs by then given the restrictions my doc has set.  I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  Until then, I'm going to focus on this positive, fabulous, fastest ever 4.6 miles of pure freeeaaaaaky-deaky bliss!

{the good} This was the fastest I have ever gone past the 5k mark.  An entire mile and a half more, to be exact. WOW!  The best part was, Kent was having to really push in order to keep up with me.  There were a few times I'd pull ahead, but he would catch up with me during my walk breaks at the top of each mile.  It was probably a nice change for him to run faster instead of sticking to my "injured pace".  I know I hold him back a lot.  ;)

{the ugly} It wasn't ugly, but strange to push myself.  I haven't been able to do that for a very long time.  It was a good ugly....if such a thing exists. lol

It was ONLY 3 miles, but.... [Training Day 244 Thu 9/1/11]

3  miles
10:10 pace

I set out to day for my first real run in weeks.  It was only 3 miles, but....

• 3 miles is a hell of a lot more compared to the ZERO miles I've run in the past three weeks.
• I had no pain anywhere at all!
• I learned there is no such thing as "ONLY" 3 miles. 

This 3 miles was stinkin' HARD, y'all!  I knew better than to push it...so I didn't.  I stayed at what was a more than comfortable pace.  In a way, it felt as though I was stuck in slow motion.  However, I looked down when the 1 mile "beep" sounded, and realized I was trotting along with a 9:40 pace.  WHAT?????  It was the craziest feeling ever.  I never would have guessed I was doing more than an 11:00 pace had you forced me to guess.  This is why the Garmin is so important to me.  I'm not supposed to be doing anything more than a 12:00 pace for the next couple of weeks.  I'm trying to let these shin splints heal while staying active.  I've got to get better about watching the Garmin instead of zoning out.  However, I really enjoy zoning out!  Especially with the chaos life has been throwing my way lately.

This 3 miles kicked my ass.  I am so tired.  How did I go from running 12 to 15 mile long runs to a 3 mile ass kicker?  I honestly felt as though I was getting stronger with my cross training.  I logged more hours at the gym in the past two weeks than I normally do running. For the next few weeks, I'll be working on endurance building.  I have a couple of half marathons coming up this fall, and would like to be able to run them.  3 miles simply won't cut it, but it's a fabulous start.  A start without injury.  A start without pain.  I'll take it!

{the good} The trees have a hint of yellow in them.  Fall is coming.  That's always a good thing in my book!  To top it off, it was 56 degrees when I woke up this morning.  Of course, by the time I hit the trail in the full sun...it was way warmer than that.  However, fall is coming!

{the ugly} I need to work on pacing myself.  Sticking with a healing plan instead of a training plan.