Three Runs, One Post

It's been a couple of days since I posted. I've been busy and blogging hasn't been a priority. I've got three runs to write about in this post.

Wednesday:
It was such a cozy morning. I really wanted to sleep in instead of waking up early to run. I decided that I would run at the gym when I go for my workout. It seemed like a good idea in the morning when I wanted to stay in bed. When I finally got up, I was off to a slow start: coffee, breakfast, and Netflix.

When I finally got to the gym I first did my workout for legs day and then hopped on the treadmill. Holy! Cow! I forgot how hot it is in the gym! I ran Week 5, Day 2 and barely made it. The first eight minutes was okay, but I was sweating bullets. The second eight minutes wasn't 8 minutes. It was barely five minutes.  I started the second eight minute segment about a minute late so that I could be totally ready. But, even with that extra minute of walking, I wasn't able to go the whole remaining seven minutes.  By the time I was done I was sweating so bad and even felt a little nauseous. It was not a good feeling.

Thursday:
 I got up early enough to go for a run. My plan was to run the Week 5, Day 2 once more before moving on to Day 3. I have really been killing the eight minute segments lately, but wanted to have a much better run before moving on to the big, scary 20 minute running segment. There was lots of clouds, the temperature wasn't too cool, but the clouds kept the sun from blaring down on my skin. I hit the road and killed the first eight minute segment. I hit the first mile just as I started my walk break. I was recovering nicely and psyching myself up for the second eight minutes when I noticed another runner on the other side of the road.

I waited until I got closer to the other runner and then looked up to wave and say a quick "good morning" and as I did, I realized that I know this other runner! She worked at my school last year and is one of the nicest people I met there! So, I turned around and crossed the road. We chatted as we walked quickly and walked all the way back to my house. From there, she went on the rest of her run.  It was fun running in to another runner and while we didn't run together it was nice to have a chat.

Friday:
I need routine!
I really need to have routine in my life to make things easier for me. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I miss work because of the routine it makes me follow.  I have to cook on the weekends, I have to go to bed on time, I have to wake up on time. I've only been off from work for three weeks (four weeks since I've had students) and my routine is all messed up! I go to bed late, fall asleep watching a movie, and sometimes nap during the day. I haven't been cooking like I usually do. I can see that this is starting to affect my running and my training.

After finally rolling out of bed at 7am, I was ready to hit the road under a sunny, cloudless sky! I decided to skip the 20 minute day, and run Week 6, Day 1. It should have been easy, five minutes then eight minutes and one more five minute segment. Oh my! I didn't make it through the first five minutes, I dragged my butt through the second eight minutes with a couple of walk breaks and the last five minutes just killed me. I got in a full two miles though.

I am still planning a trip to the gym today, and maybe this weekend I need some time to rest, and reset, and try to get on a routine.

8 Minutes #Win

After a few repeats of Week 5, Day 1 I finally braved  Week 5, Day 2!

It was two running segments of eight minutes each with one five minute walking break in between.  I took only one little break during the first eight minutes to cross over some wet grass, jump over a drainage ditch, and cross the street.  During the second segment, I took a quick break to cross over the same grass/ditch/street and one more little break for about 30 seconds. It went well, I was surprised that it went as well as it did this morning.  It might have even been a little better if I had gone earlier in the morning when the  sun was less blazing.

Tomorrow I'll try it again before moving on after a nice rest day.

Run For The Warriors (#Win)

This morning it was finally my 5k race with Hope For The Warriors! I had to leave home early to pick up my packet, and have time to take everything back to the car before needing to line up for the race. After I didn't have to wait at all to pick up my race bib and t-shirt, and had such a great parking spot that I could see the starting line from my car. I sat playing/learning Spider Solitaire on my phone waiting to line up. There was a few people waiting around. Then a few more arrived, and a few more.  I began to start to feel intimidated.  When I've run in big races, I always can spot out people who would come in after me. But, this was a small race, and I felt like I was going to come in last and the race organizers would be taking things down before I made it back.

When I get to races, I usually have two goals that are the same for every race:
1. Finish the race.
2. Not finish last.
After those two goals, I often set a time goal in my mind of how quickly I would like to finish a race, or how long I would like my running segments to be. For this race, I wanted to finish in under 40 minutes.

And, I did! I finished in just under 40 minutes. My clock time from the chip on my bib was 39:58, and my Endomondo time for a 5k distance is 39:12. Both times are under 40 minutes and that was my goal, just to come in under 40 minutes.

While it was a small race, only 154 runners, it was still a great race! It was an out and back route, but utilized the streets in downtown New Bern and there was plenty of space for runners going both directions. I would surely run another race with Run For The Warriors again!

Only 2 More Days (#NotAWinNotALoss)

It's been a couple days since I posted, because it's been a couple of days since I ran. I had a few things come up in the last few days and that has interrupted my schedule. Mostly, bad food and laziness. But, I've got only two more days until my 5k run with Hope For The Warriors!

But, this morning I ran Week 5, Day 1 again which is three 5-minute running segments. I haven't run since Sunday, so I felt a little sluggish and needed more walk breaks than last time. Monday evening I stubbed my toe on the recycling bin and cracked my nail on my big toe. I was a little nervous about how my toe would hold up on my run this morning, and how well the bandaid would stay put. Luckily,  it didn't hurt too much and the bandaid stayed put and I only had a little extra sock fuzz stuck to it. Hopefully it will heal quickly!

While I wouldn't say that I miss work, I do miss the routine of going to work each day.  That keeps me on a schedule of going to bed early and waking up on time and staying on top of my cooking and food prep. It has been almost two weeks since I have been to the grocery store, and even longer since I have cooked a good, whole food meal for myself.  Cooking for one can be so boring sometimes!

So, today since I ran, I need to continue doing healthy things for myself. I will go grocery shopping today. And, I will cook at least one good meal for myself today. One great thing about being on summer break is I have a lot more time for cooking during the week than I did while I was working. I think that was part of the reason I slipped out of my routine, because I knew I would have time to cook tomorrow, or the next day or the day after that.

This week's meals are scheduled to be: Creamy Greek Zucchini Patties, Coconut Eggplant Curry, Rainbow Peanut Noodles, and Bruschetta Quinoa Casserole. I'm also going to make Blueberry Power Muffins for late morning or post run snacks. Yummmm! The muffins are especially delicious as mini muffins. Sweetie loves these muffins and I can't wait to make some for him very soon!

5k Race Prep (#Win)

http://justfreakingrun.tumblr.com/post/64669889329

This morning I went out for my 3 mile run to prepare for my 5k next weekend. I went a little later than I wanted to, but luckily it was cloudy, cool, and a little windy! It was beautiful.

I set my timer app for 3 minutes of running and 90 seconds of walking. My first mile was just over 13 minutes. That included a five minute walking warm up. I knew that if I could get my second and third miles under 13 minutes I would be able to complete the distance in less than 40 minutes! I struggled with the 3 minute segments during the second and third miles, but overall came in the 5k distance only 9 seconds over what I hoped to do. But, I still got out there and was only 9 seconds from my goal. I am sure that I can do it next weekend!

Time to get on with my Sunday, a trip to Goodwill and packing/sorting/cleaning.

Happy Saturday Morning (#Win)

Happy Saturday!

This morning my alarm went off at the regular morning run time (yes, even on a Saturday). As I turned it off I saw I had an email. It was a lengthy email from my sweetie! After reading it, I was so energized for my day. I got up, ate half an apple and hit the road.

While getting ready I was trying to decide if I should go out for a 3 miler like I was planning or if I should go for an easier run.  Tuesday was my last run. Wednesday was a rest day, and Thursday I really, really just wanted to sleep in. I had planned to use that day to row at the gym in the afternoon, but then I got a disgusting stomach ache that lasted two days.  But, since I feel asleep finally feeling better last night I knew I should run this morning.

When I finally got out on the road I decided to re-run Week 5, Day 1 (three 5-minute running segments). And, tomorrow I could go out for the longer run. It went well, better than I thought after three days off from running/gym/doing anything. I still have 8 days until my race, I might be able to sneak in one more 3 mile run. I'm really looking forward to my race next weekend!

Good Morning Sunrise (#Win)

No matter what the future holds...

I was awake a few minutes before my alarm went off, but I still snoozed it a few times to give me time to decide what my morning, my day was going to look like.  Yesterday was a really rough day, and I knew I wanted to go for a run today, I just didn't know what I wanted my run to be like.

By the time I was walking down my mostly dark street, in 80 degree weather with 94% humidity, I still hadn't decided. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a three mile run and really push myself this morning, or if I wanted to do Week 5, Day 1 of my C25K app.  I figured the road would tell me. The road would tell me when I should turn around and go home.

I knew I had to watch my route this morning. No running near lots of trees, grass, or bushes because I came home from yesterday's run with about six bug bites.  I seem to be very allergic to the mosquitoes in North Carolina because I get huge, dark red spots where I get bug bites. They hurt more than they itch. And, they just aren't pretty!

I went out on the main road. First five-minute segment: Win! After slowing down to jump over a ditch to get to the sidewalk, I only had to take one short walk break towards the end. Second five-minute segment: Win! Again, only needing one little walk break (which is usually about 5 breathing cycles: three steps breathing in, two steps breathing out). Towards the end of this segment, I found a really nice place to turn around--so I did. Last five-minute segment: Win! Only two little walk breaks this time.  And, before I knew it, I was almost back to my neighborhood walking home.

It was a good run, and I feel really good about tackling Week 5, Day 1 today.  I forgot until I was back in the house that I thought I might go three miles today instead. But, I had two miles in 26:28 today (I'm usually trying to get my first two miles under 25 minutes), and an overall distance of 2.69 miles. I'm glad I didn't push myself to go the extra distance this morning because I think I would not feel so positive about my morning run today.  I still need to make a trip to the gym today, and go shopping in the city.