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

Had a great weekend biking, kayaking, and enjoying the mountains.  This is taper week for me. I feel like I've been tapering for a week already (probably because I haven't run since last Wed).  I know I can run 13.1, so not too worried about it.  Its just a matter of what pace.  My goal is 9:45 ap.  My run this morning was AP of 10:38 ... comfortable.

Can't wait for packet pick-up.  Will be scoping out some new shoes :)

My race has been postponed because of the furloughs.  Another month to train.  Bummed I can't taper and carb up.  

Ate like a glutton last night.  Had cheese and wine before dinner,  then a hamburger with beans and corn, then 4 pieces of brownie, and finally a pint of oreo cookie icecream.  I was so full and sugary that my legs were jittery.  I was surprised I slept. 

Woke up this morning feeling terrible.  Decided to go run even if it meant puking on the trail or messing my pants.  I had to get this junk out of my body.  I was amazed how good I felt after I got started.  Felt energetic ... this suprised me.  Must have been all the icecream. 

Felt good after a few miles of sweating.  Saw a group of turkeys.  They were pretty big.  Started thinking about a thanksgiving feast.  How quickly I forgot about my gluttony the night before. 

Rode the bike on the rail trail (26 miles).  Beautiful morning.  Lots ofpeople out.  I rode an old rusty bike my husband brought home.  I had him pump up the dry rotted tires and grease the chain and gears for me last night.  Test rode it in the culdesac, seemed fine.  I felt the seat needed to be higher but he convinced me it was fine.  

2 miles into the ride I realized the seat was not high enough.  It was driving me crazy not being able to extend my leg and get the full use of the rotation.  Thought about turning around and calling it a day but I didn't want to .  I decided to stop at my mom's house (mile 6), and see if I could find an alan wrench.  When I stopped everyone was sleeping so I crept into the snake filled carport and searched disintegrating boxes for tools.  I saw some carborator cleaner and grabbed it to loosen up the bolt and had to settle for a screwdriver.  I sprayed the rod and bolt for the seat but the screwdriver was not going to work.  I needed to find an allan wrench.  I felt defeated but decided to look one more time.  I went back to the snake filled carport, watching my every step and looked through an old toolbox, saying a little praryer, "Lord, help me find an allan wrench".  Few moments later I spotted them, rusty and cobweb covered, hanging on the wall.  I thought to myself, "Lord, you are always there for me ... thank you".  I took the allan wrenches back to the bike and found the perfect fit.  The bolt was so rusty it wouldn't turn.  I had to use my foot for leverage and after three tries, the bolt turned.  I was so happy!  I raised the seat, tightened the bolt, put the allan wrenches back where I found them, and got back on the trail.  So much better with the seat height right.  I rode the rest of the 13 miles to the end then 13 miles back again.  Fun

Found a new loop in the neighborhood.  Part of the loop use to be too narrow for me to run on but since the addition of new houses, the walking trail was extended.  Now I only have a small narrow section to run, aka "the Hail Mary" curve.  I much prefer loops to running out and back again.

AP:  10:17

Spinning class was great today.  Had lots of energy.  Must have been the pasta yesterday :)

Ran the rail trail.  I had a 10am dr's appt so didn't get out until 10:30 or so.  Finished up 9 just before the rain started.  I wanted to do 13 but I had a ton of things to do at home, beckoning me.  I wish I could have started the run earlier.  I changed my next dr's appt to 8:45am so it wouldn't be right in the middle of the morning.  Hope it helps next time.

The rail trail is all flat exept for a hill that goes up to some soccer fields.  I ran the hill and wouldn't let myself walk at the top.  My phylosophy is "why run the hill if you are going to walk at the top", kinda defeats the purpose.  

AP:  10:37

Three morning miles in the hood.

8 miles in my nephews neighborhood in Newport News.  Wet but wonderful.  Enjoyed the change of scenery, could use a change of weather.

Breaking in my new shoes.  Asics, Keyano gels.  very comfy :)

What was that I saw this morning?  The sun?  Yeah!  

Got out just before sunrise so I got to see  it tease the sky on its way up this morning. 

Ran in the hood.  Great temperature and I was I was happy to see the sun again :)

spinning :)

Happy to get 13 miles in today.  Ran on Rosewick Rd.  Thought about stopping at 9 again, then 11, but remembered that when you are struggling you are getting stronger.  In other words, pushing yourself beyond the limits your body tries to set for you, makes you stronger.  It will help me mentally during the race too. 

3 miles on the rail trail this afternoon after sitting at my desk for hours. Felt good to stretch my muscles after sitting at my desk all day.

4 miles on the treadmill

spinning

cold run in the hood but felt nice.  couldnt get my warch to work today.

This is the first "cold" morning I've run since last Spring.  Temp was around 30ish.  Dug out my gloves and ear muffs and headed out at the break of dawn.  I was excited about running because I just received my CD's on learning Spanish.  I was eager to get started with my 1st lesson.             I was pleased with how comfortable the run felt.  I'm thinking it was because I had rested legs.  Normally I do my long run the day after an aggressive spinning class, but not this week.  I had to change my long run to Saturday because of my schedule.  I also went to a spaggetti dinner last night to support my niece's high school culinary program.  Whatever the reason, it was just an easy run that felt great.  Started thinking about that 20 I want to do in January ... thinking it might be possible :)

AP:  10:30

4 on the treadmill at the gym ... nice and warm.

Spinning class.  Had a sub instructor (Carmel).  Lots of people today for a 5:30 class (12)  Usually only have about 6-8.

4 miles in the morning darkness.  Nice and warm this morning.  Kept my eye out for the boogie man.  Practiced some speed just in case he jumped out of the woods to chase me :)