On This Day I Can Run...So I Will!

My nephew is starting to flirt with the idea of running a little so I sent him a text to let him know that hubby and I would be running this morning.  He had to work today at 10am so hubby and I  decided to meet him at 8am at a park near his home.  The lake at the park has a 2 mile loop around it.  Hubby started his hike with his 25lb sack and my nephew and I started running.  The first 1/2 is a nice wide, gently rolling trail.  The second 1/2 is thin, rooty, steep, and muddy.  If you were to twist your ankle you would plummet quickly into the  lake.  I was so afraid of twisting my ankle that I informed my nephew I would not be running that part again.  I decided to run 1 mile in then 1 mile out again.  My nephew went to his truck and got his mountain bike.  He rode past me doing a wheelie the whole way (he is such a young whipper snapper).

After 2 more miles I convinced my nephew to put the bike away and run with me again but I said I wanted to run on the park roads so I could settle in and not worry so much about my footing (I don't want to mess things up for my upcoming race).  We found a nice 1 mile loop, mostly on pavement.  He did 2 loops with me then had to leave so I finished the next 6 loops on my own.  Meanwhile hubby made a friend on the lake loop ... he is very good at doing that.  

The best part of my run happened when I was walking back to the truck.  A man with his son was walking back to the parking lot with their fishing poles, when he saw me, he said "We could see you running from the lake.  I told my son you must be some kind of an olympian!"   SWEET :) 

2 easy miles then a round of circuit training.

Snow Day! Went to the gym and did 5 on the treadmill. Incorporated 3 miles of speed work, then a round of circuit. Now home getting snowed in :)

Spinning class today! Wonderful 18 miles. Great Class ... great workout.

8 miles on the rail trail. Taper week :) Seems like its never easy.

When I finished I told myself to run the 8 miles 2 more times, then when I'm done, run another 2. (Trying to get myself ready for next weekend). I hope I can do it.

2 easy miles and a round of circuit :)

Great spin class.  Steady pace ... 20 miles.

Loving my audio book.  5 miles flew by.  Round of circuit.  Let the taper and carbs begin:)  Super excited to have QP coming up for the race!

Everything about this race was good! It all began last week with a call from QP saying she was coming up to run it with me. Weather man called for 70% chance of rain with a chance of mixed precipitation. Didn't happen. Must have been QP's lucky bib number ... 18018 (18 is her favorite number).

My friend Anne picked us up at 5:30am from my house and we drove 45 minutes to the metro station. Rode the metro train for 15 minutes and arrived at 14th and Constitution Ave. We immediately got in the incredibly long bathroom line. I was thankful for my 30 gal windbreaker (trash bag), because it was dark with a cold breeze (but no rain). After the porta john line was the bag check line. This race had 30,000 runners so there was a LOT of people. We made it to the start just shortly before our corral moved to the start line. Our timing was perfect.

The race route was beautiful through the city and the music was great! There were 35 bands along the route with a wonderful diversity of music and musicians. The people in the city were friendly and enthusiastic (even in the shady parts of town). QP helped us pass the time (especially when things began to get a little painful after mile 20) by educating us with totally useless trivia. The conversation was great the whole way as we learned about Napoleon, Pirates, and South Africa.

The race ended at the DC Armory and most of the post-race goodies were gone (even the beer). It was still good though because we got out bagels, bananas, apples, chips, and gatorade. Since we were late arrivals we were able to restock on free reusable Safeway shopping bags (leftovers). Everything about this race was awesome ... I mean groovy :)

20 minutes on the stationary bike to loosen up and release the toxins.  Sore but not injured :)

Got new shoes :)  Brooks Ghost 5.  Not sure about them yet.  Bought some gel inserts but not sure I have enough support.  I usually buy a stability shoe but this one was neutral.  Any one have recommendations for a good shoe?

Ran 2 miles today easy and walked 2 miles.  Was planning on running 4 miles but my legs said that 2 was enough for today.   

2 more miles today. weights for arms and abs. gonna do 6 tomorrow if weather cooperates ;) Feeling pretty good.

Ran my 6 on the treadmill today instead of yesterday. I had these wonderful plans on Saturday of running 6 on the rail trail while my hubby came along on the bike. I decided to join him on a flight in his plane before hitting the trail and ended up with motion sickness after coming into a lot of turbulence. Needless to say, my plans changed for the rest of that day. Was still a little woozy this morning but went to the gym anyway...glad I did :)

Beautiful but windy morning for the rail trail. Temp around 40 degrees but felt good with the sun. The wind was in my face on the way out but stayed to my back on the way in. My legs and shoes felt really good. Listened to the end of my novel, a new podcast debating the most peaceful places in the world (Iceland won), and my running songs. AP: 10:52.

Going to spin tomorrow but will continue taking it easy until I pass at least the 2 week mark after the marathon.

Decided to skip the rail trail today because it is all flat.  It was also opening day today (bathrooms opened and water fountains turned on) so I figured there might be a lot of people there.  I also wanted to get some hills in my run to prepare for "Hospital Hill" in the race coming up in May.  

The weather was beautiful ... sun, no wind, and temp around 60 :)  First spring like day we've had yet.  During the first couple of miles my left thigh had a niggle (new term I just learned), but since it wasn't 'pain' I kept going and that niggle wiggled its way out.   

I found a treasure that QP would have died for ... a zebra phone cover.  I passed it on the side of the road with intentions of picking up on the way back, however, I was on the other side of the road on the way back and passed it by.  I know it's location if a certain someone feels they need to have it :)

AP: 10:51.  One second faster than my Wednesday run.  I'll take that since this run had hills and Wednesday did not.