September 11, 2008 - almost 5 mile run

Well I tried to run my 5 mile loop in reverse again this morning. And I failed again this morning. I was concentrating so hard on not forgetting the extension from Monday that I completely forgot about the other extension. *sigh* I did not make my run longer though because I was thirsty and extremely hungry. I didn't have much of a supper last night and my energy stores were definitely lacking. Why my body didn't draw from my reserves located in my thighs, butt and abdomen has me baffled. And don't give me the scientific answer. That should be the way it works! And it should be instantaneous. Just sayin'. In the end, I ran 4.86 miles today in 57:32. I guess that's not bad for me but I feel *eh* about it. Probably a direct result of a combination of frustration over ditziness, hunger, and the rush to get ready for work afterwards (while helping Isabelle work on a forgotten homework worksheet). I guess they can't all be great runs. I'll settle for mediocre...until Saturday.

September 9, 2008 - 8 mile run

It's amazing how an overactive imagination can motivate me to run. I ran 8 miles in the evening after it had already started getting dark. About half way through I thought I heard someone angrily yell, "hey lady! I'm talking to you!" right after I crossed the street. Whether or not they were yelling at me, I don't know because I wasn't paying attention and I had my ipod on. But it resulted in enough of a boast of adrenaline to pick up my pace and get over my lack of motivation. I didn't listen to music the rest of the time so I would be prepared to defend myself ninja-style if needed. I relaxed a little bit about 20 minutes later but since I was running two loops (5-miles and 3-miles) that had common routes, I picked it up again when I passed the Yelling-Guy-Spot again. If it hadn't have been for my imagination, I think my stiff hips would have created enough of a mental block for me to have over a 12 min/mile pace.

5-mile split - 57:37
3-mile split - 35:53

Total 8-mile - 1:33:30

September 8, 2008 - 5ish mile run

I was supposed to run 5 miles today. I got up a little later than I wanted, misread my clock, realized my running clothes were dirty (minus the shirt) and couldn't remember where I left my knee strap (naturally, I remember after my run). I left anyway so I could get back in enough time to make it to my 8 a.m. meeting (after dropping of my son, of course). My right big toe/foot was still bothering me but I kept going. I felt I was going at a good clip on my reverse 5 mile loop and happy that my knee wasn't bothering me when I realized I had missed my loop extension. So the second half of my run was me guesstimating where I could add on the distance I completely forgot about. I added on a few blocks but was worried that wasn't enough. I figured if I ran by my street at about 52 minutes I would add one more extension that takes me about 8 minutes to run. I would have run for an hour and then I could map it out on my mapmyrun.com profile to get the distance. I finished in 1:00:36 and the distance ended up being ~5.38 miles, which is about a 11:15 pace. I guess when everything seems to be working against me, I end up with a good run. Be that as it may, I will still plan on being better prepared for tomorrow's run! =)

September 6, 2008 - 18 mile run

BOO-YAH!!!!

18 miles baby! 18 miles! And it was a good run. I can't believe how unbelievable stiff the body can get but afterall, it was 18 miles. I ran it in 3:34:46 and that's because I had a negative split on one of the miles. (I had to stop and tie my shoe then pick up the pace to catch up with the group). It was an absolutely fabulous day for running! It was gorgeous and there were a ton of people on the lakefront. I saw two people I knew from high school...okay technically three because I run with Beth...although Tracy started after we graduated....you get the point. Nothing like seeing people you haven't for years when you're all sweaty and gross. At least you can say, "I'm training for a marathon". That's pretty neat.

I bought ice on the way home and filled my tub with it and cold water. Then I submerged myself for 15 minutes to awaken my stiff legs. Man, it was seriously cold. But it felt good. Then I took a nice, long shower. I feel so much better now. My legs are achy though. My knee felt good during the run but my right foot is giving me problems. Specifically, my arch, the inside top of the foot and along my big toe. I believe a regular icing routine is in order for my foot now.

My shoes officially have 220 miles on them. It's hard to believe! I'll be putting in an order for a new pair soon so I'm ready when these officially need to be retired. 220 miles...and that's just on this pair...I had been running awhile before I got them. That's ridiculous.

September 4, 2008 - 5 mile run

Have you ever been driving in the pouring down rain and you see that lone person out running despite the rain? And you think, "man, that person's crazy!" Well, tonight that person was me. I ran my 5 miles in 57:06. Running around puddles when I could. Mainly running through them because they were unavoidable. I was soaked from head to toe. My shoes are currently in the dryer, my clothes hanging in the bathroom. But it was a good run. I needed to run in the rain. I ran without the ipod. I needed to feel the rain and the weight of my drenched clothes, listening to nothing but the cars, the rain, my shoes on the pavement, and the sloshing through the puddles. I needed it for me. Today's run was more than just 5 miles. It was a reminder that in life, rain is going to fall. And we don't have much choice in that. We do have a choice in what we do when it rains. I choose to keep running.

September 3, 2008 - 7 mile run

This morning at 3:30 a.m. I was woken up by a fierce thunderstorm. So I decided I would not get up and run. Plus, I didn't want to have to start running by 4:30 to be done by 6:00. As it turns out, I ended up running in the dark anyway because I didn't get started until about 7:30 p.m. It is quite the challenge to run on sometimes uneven sidewalks when it's difficult to see. I only tripped once though...well and stepped wrong on a curb with my left foot...and stepped wrong on a curb with my right foot...but other than that!

Total time to run 7 miles - 1:24:07

September 2, 2008 - 4 mile run

Holy cow! It's September! When did that happen??? I remember being little and thinking it would take forever to get from my birthday to Christmas and back again. Now I'm thinking the months are flying past! If only I knew then to enjoy my childhood. At least I know now I guess!

Anyhow, I ran 4 miles this morning. And I really, really, really wanted to stay in bed. Actually, I did wake up later than planned and toyed with the idea of running this afternoon at work. Until I watched the weather and it called for 92 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 p.m. Forget that! So I got up. I wanted to run my 5 miles today too because it's so nice to save the shortest distance for Thursday, but in the interest of time I had to opt for the 4 miles. I was in panic-gotta-get-done mode and I think I started out pushing it too much. So naturally I was dying the last 2 miles. And by dying, I mean, have to mentally push myself to keep going. I've really been fighting the urge to just stop running all together. But I enjoy it, so I don't. I just don't enjoy getting up early. For tomorrow and Thursday's run, I might run in the late afternoon which will be a nice change. I'll still get up at the same time in the morning so I can get to work earlier, but I won't have to roll out of bed and go exert myself. We'll see how that pans out. Really what's gumming up this whole adventure is the whole "work" thing. Stupid bills that need to be paid.

Total time to run 4 miles - 45:11 - not to shabby for this reluctant runner.