Turkey Run

I did, in fact, go for a run yesterday. With the hub and the dogs. I'm pretty convinced now, if I wasn't before, that I'm a loner runner. Running with hub isn't so bad. Running with dogs takes too much energy and effort! So much so that at 1.5 miles, I got a huge, spasming stitch on my right side - right under the ribs down into my stomach.

I had to stop and hand the leash of the dog I was running with over to M. Once it calmed down, I made up some of the rest of my run, which I figure was just under 2 miles total.

It was much nicer to be out running than to be at home cooking! Regardless, I'm still slow. I'd like to blame the track pants again, but I really do think it's just me. That and my iPod keeps dying on me. Time for either a new battery or a new iPod. . .

I've got to search out my previous training schedule. I know it's around here somewhere. Starting Monday December 1st, I'll be running 4-5 times per week. I'd really like to get my mileage back up to 5 or 6 and get my weight back down to 145-150. My gift to myself for the holidays, I suppose.

What happened!?

A) I've gotten to bed late (any time after 10:00) too many nights in a row. Hub is under threat of pain of death to get to bed by ten so he can stop "messing up my running"!

B) I've had a mental block about running 2 days in a row. Kinda dumb since I used to run 5 days a week, since I used to run 2 and 3 days in a row when I was "in training".

C) I'm plotting a big pre-Thanksgiving run tomorrow. By "big" I really mean more than my most recent 2-miler.

D) I'm gearing up for a rather serious self-lecture, in which I put myself back on at least a 4-day per week running program starting December 1.

E) All of the above.

Give it all you got

I was up and at 'em yesterday - the only exerciser out on the streets, even though it wasn't that early.

The weather was FANtastic!

My head is still stuffy and I forgot to blow my nose. So, when I wasn't sniffing and snuffing, I was hocking and spitting. I spit a lot. The breathing was not so easy.

It was S-L-O-. . . W going! I blamed the switch from running shorts to track/sweat pants. Really, it was the month-long break.

Again, it wasn't really that early, but my slow plodding woke up slumbering dogs, who slurred their barks in my direction. I thought "C'mon dumb dogs! Give me all you've got!" Then I realized I wasn't really taking my own advice. But in my estimation, lingering head cold + recovering from recent health issues + 2 miles without stopping - my iPod (which died 10 minutes in) = pretty freakin' good.

2 miles took me 23:45. Nearly 1 minute slower per mile than normal. I'm wanting to get back out there more regularly. It's going to take some time getting back up to speed, as manifested by my sore obliques and quads, which consistently attest that the break did not do me good!

I'm hoping for a morning run tomorrow so I get 2 in this week.

Oh, how I've missed it!

I haven't run in a month. . .

Every time I see a runner, I lament my loss! In fact, just yesterday, we were traveling on the freeway and I saw a runner running over the overpass. I said to my hub "Look! She's running! Awwww!"

I've been traveling and am now having some health issues, but should be ready to get back out there by Tuesday or Wednesday (I hope!).

It will be colder, but I have a beautiful new track suit that's just calling my name! Can't wait!

Tricky Eyes

"No excuses" huh? "No excuses"!? Sha right!

Monday was a bust. The ominous headaches have returned. Whatever. Even though I woke up at around 4 a.m. today and couldn't go back to sleep (you all know how much I love that, right?), I went out for a run. I was SO excited to go.

I ran just over a 5k in 35 minutes. Without a knee strap, without chapstick, without water, and without stopping. Oh, and without an iPod. Sort of. It died in the middle of my run. Running without it makes it seem agonizingly slow.

But, hey, I'm just impressed I can still run that distance in pretty good time and health after the lengthy breaks I've been taking. I changed up my route on the 3rd mile and was glad I did.

I don't know if it was the lack of mental abstraction from the no-music-thing, but my eyes were playing tricks on me today. Dead palm husks looked like rattlesnake skin. Pumpkin scarecrows looked like real people.

Oh, and then there was Peter Cottontail. Or his cousin. That bunny just hopped across the street and we had a right old staring match. He eyed me warily and I watched him intently, each of us anxious for the other's next move. He won. I looked away first on account of my running in the opposite direction and all.

The weather was freakin' awesome! I could have probably run another mile or two - if I had the time. But alas, the chicken in my fridge was calling me to marinate it so it could be my dinner. . .

Jabber-walky

I didn't run but once this last week. I did, however, get to go walking on Thursday night with my friend L. She and I went to the local high school track and walked and talked and yammered and walked and walked and jabbered for nearly 3 hours straight. It was great!

So, I figure if I can get myself back to some sort of normal running regime (M, W, F - 3, 4, 3), and walk with L on Tues and Thurs, I'll be pretty set. . . I start tomorrow. I'm off, and the weather is FABulous, so barring death or serious disease, I have no real excuse!

Back in the Saddle

I finally (finally) finished my week of training last week. I wanted to run 3 times last week, but it didn't happen on account of my having to be at work "early" (a.k.a. sometime between 8 and 8:30).

I got the chance to go this morning and I took it! Yeah!

I ran only 2 miles today because I had time constraints.

Easy peasy! No stopping (except to hug Michelle) and it was fun! Got a little pain in the ol' sciatic nerve (it's been almost non-existent for the last two weeks).

I'm hoping to go at least 3 if not 4 times this week.