What? Walk???

Tonight was a 5-mile run. J called around 7 and wanted to run on the treadmill so I ran so that she could run afer me. We were talking a bit and she said it is best to take walking breaks on those long runs. Is this really true?? Even the elite runners will walk through the aide stations during a marathon and still finish in 2:30:00.

I am now exhausted. So much to do. Such heavy eyelids. I think I'll go to bed.

5 mile run; .6 mile walk; ~60 min; RPE - 4

Negotiations Run

Well, nothing like a good run after negotiations. Enough said!

It was a good, quick run tonight. I usually watch the last 1/10 mile go by and slow exactly at 3 miles (or the end of the run) . It was so good, I kept going! Almost went another .25 miles. Guess I had a lot of "energy" to burn off tonight.

3 mile run; 3/4 mile walk; RPE - 3

I drank

Well, I did it. I got my new running belt with 2-20oz bottles of water. I woke up this morning, loaded up the belt, drank 18 oz before the run (because I knew I wasn't hydrated well enough), ate a piece of dry toast, stretched, and went to the basement. I was going to run outside, but it just didn't look very nice. Everything looked icy. No thanks. I drank about 14 oz during the run and finished off the last 6 oz walking afterward. Small shots worked best rather than a small drink. It was ok. I am now wondering how I will stay hydrated in longer runs. I'll get there.

Another accomplishment today was the distance: 7 miles. That's the farthest I've ever run. I know each week will set records like this. The last couple miles were the most difficult, as expected. The first 2-3 miles were relatively easy. I was surprised how quickly those miles went by. Overall it was a good run. I watched two episodes of Lost. It's good to have that distraction. I miss that outside.

I double tied my shoes because I've been having problems with them coming untied in the middle of a run. That helped. At the end of my long runs I feel like my blister is coming back. It seems to go away after a few days, though. I think my feet just have to get used to going that far.

7 mile run; 1 mile walk; 85 min; RPE - 3.5

A grading break

Have around 350-400 assignments to grade tonight. ugh. Running was a nice break. Last night I had so much to do, but was so exhausted from late nights that I just went to bed at 7:30. I slept through til 5 this morning. I was very rushed, but made it through the day. The stress of school is getting to me. Running has become a good outlet.

Tonight was mostly an easy run. Only wiped my brow a few times, rather than every few seconds so the strength is coming. Seemed like a very quick run.

3 mile run; 1 mi walk; RPE - 2.5

BBRRRrrrrr

J contacted me this afternoon and wanted to go out running tonight. Hmm, I thought to myself. It's lower teens, wind chills in the single digits. "It doesn't matter." OK, I'll go. I got about 3 layers on, called her when Bill got home from Taekwondo and her hubby had to go do a housecall. oh bummer. I was all psyched up to do this. That's ok. We'll try again Saturday.

I went to the basement and ran 4 miles. It was a fine run. Seemed like just another run. I don't know if I was psyched about freezing body parts off or what, but I was sweating like crazy downstairs about half way through. The last mile was difficult, but I kept going. The last two runs my shoes came untied so I double tied them today. Is there a better way to do this?

4 mile run; 1/2 mile walk; RPE - 4

The recovery run

After my 6-mile frozen run Saturday, my legs were achy. I discovered a blister between my big toe and the index toe, which is now reduced to a callous. I have been dreading making this run today all weekend. Hubby even massaged my legs Sat night. That was great, but they were still achy. My previously-blistered heel gave me fits too and it doesn't seem to be healing. All this made a dredgery out of starting the run tonight.

Only 3 miles. It's a short run. You can do it. No problem. I stretched a little ahead of time to loosen up the muscles, got on the treadmill and away I went! I didn't even wipe my brow until half-way through. This is one reason I know I am increasing my endurance, lung capacity, and heart output. When I ran with J I knew I had a ways to go with this, but I am feeling good about where I am now.

J and I make good running partners. We seem to motivate each other and have similar running paces. Nice to have that connection. She has also given me lots of suggestions that help. I'm taking it anywhere I can get it these days!

Ordered a running belt recently. It's supposed to be here this week so hopefully Mother Nature won't go postal on me. I have to train myself to accept fluids during a run. This is going to be a huge success if I can do that.

3 mile run; 1 mile walk; RPE - 3

The first Ethanol Loop

I did it! My first official 6 mile run today. J and I ran the Ethanol Loop, came back past the school to the T-intersection and back to her house. It was a good run, a foggy run, but a good run. We looked like old ladies when we were done because there was so much frost on our hair and clothes. It was a brisk 18 degrees when we started and about 22 when we finished. Perfect.

Rounding the corner to come back into town, there was a headwind. We were both surprised as there was no wind (less than 2mph)

Overall it was a good run. It was work at times, but it felt good afterward. Having someone else there kept me going. I layered clothes and was still a bit cool, but sweaty at the same time. I had to shed my skin and bring on the ducks, but I made it. The chill only allowed the skin to fall off through my knees, it wouldn't let go below that. It was like a hard shell that wouldn't crack. I could make it a little softer, but it never completely shed. I had to keep envisioning my finishline and my family.

6 mile run; 1/2 mile walk; accomplishment!; RPE - 4.5