The Long Run

I finally logged a Long Run on Memorial Day. 

Before I left for the run, I gathered up everything that would be necessary to take Little Miss Spitfire with me if she woke up before I left.  (She didn't.)  I also left a detailed note for Hubby about what he should put in the stroller if he wanted me to take her with me. Then I placed an insulated bag on the front porch with water and Gatorade and set out to run 3x 4-mile loops, stopping by the house after each one for water and in case I needed to pick up LMS. 

The first loop, I kept thinking that it felt like I was flying.  Not because I was going fast.  I was not.  But because I was stroller free.  I could run up and down curbs, cut corners, and use both arms. Fabulous. 

My first loop ended up being 4.4 miles because I took an extra quarter mile around a pond and then took a detour around some free roaming dogs.  I shouldn't have been surprised that my insulated bag was not on the front porch when I returned.  I continued up the driveway to see the stroller sitting out which was actually good because I needed a potty break.  While I went inside, Hubby got LMS situated.

Rather than continuing doing loops, LMS and I ran the last 7.6 miles down our main street, around our Town Square and then back through our neighborhood.  My only complaint about the route was that I ran by Panera Bread, The Corner Bakery and Starbucks.  Yummy aromas all around.  I was already hungry.  That didn't help. 

But at least that 12 Miles is out of the way.

Random Notes

Do I really have a Half in less than 2 weeks?  Yes, I do.  It's snuck up on me so quickly.  I'm not ready - not really - but I'm not overly worried either.  I just want to finish and get this out of the way.  Then maybe I'll take a month off from this "training" schedule and simply enjoy my runs before I begin the schedule for the 20 Miler in October.  Maybe. 

We switch to our summer schedule at Stroller Mates this week.  As the heat increases, we move class earlier if at all possible.  This summer we're trying something new and having class 2 days per week at 7:30am.  Here in Texas it can already be in the mid-70's by that time of day.  I'm a little worried about what time I'll have to get myself and the girls up in order to make it on time.  I also like to run a 2 mile loop before class but I don't realistically see that happening at 7am.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays we're also trying something new - circuit classes at the playground.  We've got quite a few kids 3 and over.  This should allow them time to play (and get some physical activity) and decrease the amount of time they spend in the stroller. 

Registration for the Full Marathon on my Birthday Weekend in December opens this Wednesday.  I'm not sure if I'm excited, nervous or crazy, but . . . I'm registering.  At least My Neighbor is going to do this race also.  I will not be alone.  She's already run a full though, so she knows what she's doing.  I, on the other hand, really have no idea.

A New Toy

I had given up on getting a Garmin.  I couldn't justify it after having bought a new Polar HRM with GPS in March, even though it only gives real time mph and distance.  It doesn't give me a pace for each mile or do the other cool things that Garmins do.  I wanted one, but I wasn't going to tell Hubby that.  Well, I wasn't until his sister's husband told me that his company is working with Garmin and he can get them at a considerable discount.  So I ordered the Forerunner 610.  I can't wait for it to come in!

Shout Out

Thanks for the shout out!  I had a great time Jazzercising with CW during grad school . . .  and lamenting statistics courses and field work, of course. 

Recovery

I had hoped for a long run of 8-10 miles on Sunday morning, so I was disappointed that I didn't leave the house until 6:50am knowing full well that I needed to be back no later than 8:00am.  I managed 6.2 miles.  A 10K seemed like a decent goal considering I'd only run 3.5 miles a day since getting over that nasty sinus infection & bronchitis. 

The bad news it that I have a 10K on June 4 and a Half on June 12.  I'm pretty sure the 10K will be fine.  Luckily, we're going a little bit north (2 states north actually) so I'm hoping for slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity.  The Half is another story entirely because it will be here in Texas where the humidity has been over 80% lately, and it's been in the mid-70's by 7am.  At least the race begins at 7:30am in an effort to avoid some heat. 

My first ever Half Marathon was in February at Disney World.  I was suprised to finish in 1:57.  My second Half was in my hometown and I was disappointed (despite everyone commenting on the ridiculous headwind for the entire race) to finish in just over 2 hours with 2:01.  I had hoped to finish this coming Half in under 2 hours, but I'm beginning to think my goal should be simply "to finish".  My Neighbor will be running as well and she keeps (sensibly) reminding me that my actual goal is a Full Marathon in December and that these summer races are just for fun. 

Takin' it easy

Finally, I'm running again.  I tried an easy mile on the treadmill Monday morning before Stroller class.  Later in the afternoon, I decided to try running with the stroller, so that was our mode of transportation to dance class.  One mile.  I decided to walk home rather than overdo.

On Tuesday, I ran 1.75 miles with the stroller before Stroller class.  I was still taking a pretty slow pace and left with ample time to get to Stroller class. 

Yesterday, I ran 3.7 miles (no Stroller class).  It felt pretty good.  I think I could have run further and longer, but again, I didn't want to overdo it.  I'm taking it easy and slowly after 10 days off. 

I have a 10K on June 4 and a Half on June 12, and I'm a little worried that I won't feel ready for either.

My only consolation is that because I didn't run for 10 days, my heart rate is higher than it was just 3 weeks ago so I'm burning more calories per mile than I was.  Of course, that also means I lost some cardiovascular conditioning (which we already knew, right?).  Every day that I wasn't running, that thought went through my mind.  Sometimes hourly.  Sometimes more. 

A few months ago, I got a new Polar HR Monitor.  This one has a GPS option.  Plus, it's pink and pretty.  It comes programmed with training options where it has a total goal time for the week and a goal for total calories to burn for the week.  If you reach certain percentages of your goals, it either says "nice" or "well done" and gives your stars.  After the week that I couldn't workout, it said "incomplete training week" and has been telling me to "train a lot more".  I'm not sure why that's amusing to me, but it is.

Day 9 . . . really?

Yep, Day 9 of No Running.  It's Sunday, my usual "rest day".  I'm feeling better but still not back to normal completely.  I've still got a touch of crud in my chest.  Today is my last day of antibiotics though, so after talking it over with hubby, I've decided to give 1 or 2 miles a try tomorrow. 

My next Half is June 12, and we recently decided to do a 10K on June 4 (while on a trip visiting family).   I don't want to wait too much longer.  I should be training for that half. 

I was reading a post over at Mom vs Marathon who is in a similar situation.   OK, only similar in that she's having to take time off from running.  Truthfully, I had lost some motivation.  I didn't have a real schedule going on.  Maybe all this happened to give me some time "off" from running to get motivated again and actually come up with a plan.  Or maybe it happened because I needed to slow down (literally and figuratively) for a little while to give my body a break, to give our schedule a change, and to appreciate being able to run and be active.   

On Thursday Angel Girl looked at me and asked if we were ever going to go anywhere again.  Maybe she needed some change too.  I decided to try Stroller Class on Friday.  It turned out to be only me and the (other) instructor, so we took a 2 mile walk and then let the kids play at the playground.  On the way home, Angel Girl sang "I love my mommy" over and over.  When we got home, I put Little Miss Spitfire down for her nap.  Then Angel Girl and I had lunch.  She told me it had been the best morning ever.  Maybe both of us needed some change to appreciate what we have.

You probably figured out that I skipped that 5K yesterday.  There's a first time for everything.  Going to packet pickup made me a little sad, but I wanted the race goodies.