Post-Rain Morning Run (Win)

When setting out for a run in the morning there are a few things I need to do before I get started.  I turn on my music, I get my C2 10K app going, and of course I start my Endomondo. But this morning I was all out of order because I was enjoying my music already while getting my pack and water ready at home.

It wasn't until I was over a mile and a half that I realized I hadn't heard my Endomondo tell me how far I had gone, and surely I had already gone a mile. It wasn't until my late wake-up alarm starting going off and my music stopped that I noticed the message on my phone that the GPS was turned off and this would interfere with how Endomondo tracked my workout this morning.  CRAP!  I was almost two miles into my run and only the timer was going. Oh no! Luckily, I know how far I was running this morning so I was able to update it online. Because 1.28 miles in 42 minutes is really horrible!

Last night we had a huge storm pass through and so thankfully it was cool and damp out--perfect for running!  I checked the weather and while it was 72º outside there was 74% humidity.  Still, it felt cool and nice.  I was up a half hour early and was on the road just a few minutes after my early alarm sounded. I was really hoping for a little bit of rain while I was out on my run this morning, or at least some sprinkles--but there was nothing.

I enjoyed running in the cool, damp morning and really can't wait for cooler weather for running before the sun comes up.

Tomorrow, 3 miles again!

Running in an Oven (Win?)

When waking up this morning I decided that I could not check the weather because I knew it was going to be a warm morning. If I knew exactly how warm it was supposed to be before I got dressed and out the door I probably wouldn't go. But stepping outside... I was certain I stepped into a pre-heated oven!

Yikes! 88º F, 66% humidity and a quote from wunderground stating that it felt like 97º. Wowza!  I felt like a wilted flower as a went only a short distance this morning.  In exchange for the shorter distance I decided that I would push my self more than I have in my last two runs.  I would run a full mile--that was my goal.  And, I about did it.  I have to take a quick walk break towards the end. But, overall I ran the whole thing.  It was disgusting!
Dis.
Gust.
Ing.
But I did it!  I went out and did something, which was more than I had done for the 12 days I was sick. Tomorrow I'll try again.

Maybe it will rain already and suck this humidity out of the air and we can go back to living like normal, happy flowers in the desert southwest!

Monday's Four Mile Run (Win)

This morning was a tough morning all around.  I was off to a late start. I almost set out on a three mile run, but then picked the four mile route on my phone and decided to go with it.

There was a lot of walking, but I still went the full distance.

Tomorrow is a rest day, then Wednesday and Thursday are three milers. Friday is another rest day before the race on Saturday!

Sunday Morning Run (Win)

It has been 12 days since my last run, and before that I had only two runs in 10 days.  The start of the school year has not been good to me.  Also, I've been sick for the last week so the extra half hour to sleep in each morning has been great. Today's run is a "win" because I went. That was all I set out to accomplish this morning (even if I did walk quite a bit).

This morning I decided that I'd had enough. I was going to get up and run and do my best with junky lungs and unused legs.  I didn't set any goals, but I did get up and run this morning. Today was three miles, tomorrow I am going to try for four miles.  Saturday I will be running the Aloha Run 5k in Mission Bay, San Diego--so I need to be ready!

Four Mile Success (Win)

This morning was my first long run of half marathon training.  I set out for four miles and went just a bit over!  I was determined this this morning was going to be the morning I earned my new Birkenstock sandals for getting my 5k time under 40 minutes. But I was just over by 25 seconds. Another run, my next run, will be the time that I earn my sandals!  I can't wait--now that school is starting I'll love having a second pair of Birkenstocks to wear to work.  They are so great on my feet.

I ran a new route, or mostly new route this morning for my four miles. It was nice. I only had a short stretch of road that I have never run on, but I was familiar with the area from driving that road many, many times.  I ran past my old apartment complex and was reminded of when I first started running and spent a few times just doing laps around the complex instead of getting out on the real roads. I've come along way since then for sure. 

Today I had an easy time running the first three miles, but had a tough time with the last mile (which includes an uphill climb). I survived and made him home still not needing sunglasses. Tomorrow is a run of 3 miles. I will have to decide  what route I will take. I will push to get my time under 40 minutes so I can earn my sandals.  Next, I'll have to decide what I am goal I am going to set for a reward of a new hat!

Where is "The Zone"? (Loss)

This morning was a tough run.  But, I don't know why...

I went to bed at 20:30 last night and fell asleep right away.  Then I was up only a few minutes before my alarm sounded this morning.  I got very close to a full eight hours of sleep.  I checked my email and Facebook and the weather before getting up from bed. I ate my cheese stick and had a few sips of Vitamin Water before getting dressed like I always do.  But somehow by this time it was already 05:00 and I was just putting my running clothes on.  I have been trying to make it out the door by this time so that I won't need sunglasses and I will have more time to get things done before going to work.  Now that I am back on contract I have to get to work on time and not take a morning nap for two hours after my run.

Once I was out on the road I turned on Endomondo and Pandora on my phone. Last night I downloaded 10k Trainer to my phone which is the next step after the C25K app.  I decided to use this today and it would help me push through to fewer walking breaks on my run.  I turned this on last.  I set out walking and walking and walking... wait--shouldn't my 10k Trainer app have told me it was time to start running by now?  Usually I am running by this point on the road.  I checked my phone and BLURG! (thanks Liz Lemon) the app restarted and wasn't timing anything. So I walked to the next streetlight and then starting running.

Yeah, that didn't work out well either, by the time I reached the corner I was pooped.  I pushed on a little further and then just walked.  I tried a few more times to run, but it just wasn't happening this morning.  I walked the rest of the way and went the full distance. I did not take the shortcut home, but I didn't go an extra lap around my complex which would have surely put me over 3.0 miles. 

But, this is kind of how my whole morning went. I forgot to wash my hair in the shower this morning, didn't make coffee last night so I had to make it after I got home from my "run" walk. Then, when I left for work I forgot my phone at home. I realized this only about 4 miles away from home, and then proceeded to check if I had my FitBit. Check--I had my FitBit, so I decided it wasn't worth going home to get my phone. 

Tomorrow is a rest day for running, but I might try to go out for a short run and try to set the tone for my long run on Saturday. Maybe I'll try a new route just to change things up a little bit. 

Let The Training OFFICIALLY Begin (Win)

Training began this morning.  Actually the calendar for training started yesterday, but it was a rest day--a much needed [second] rest day after six straight days of "killer week" running.

This morning started with a three-mile run.  I used a route that I have run before. It went well over all. I really tried to reach my 40 minute goal for my three miles--but was just one minute over! I might have done better if I wasn't running into the wind, but that is only an excuse--it was nice to have a breeze for a while.

I need to work on pushing myself back up to a full 30 minutes of running on the road.  I reached the 30 minutes (plus two minutes) on the treadmill, but haven't yet made it out on the road.  About 15 minutes straight is all that I can do, but I'm working on boosting that up.

Tomorrow is another rest day, and Thursday another three mile run. I am looking forward to it (and kind of wishing that I could run tomorrow). Gym after a day at work tomorrow.  But the best news of all, I don't have to go to the all day training on Thursday for a math curriculum that I won't be using, so I'll have an extra day to work in my classroom (but there will not be any other teachers there to talk to when I need a break).