My Morning run

When I woke up this morning, I wasn't sure if I was going to go running.  Sure, it was on my calendar, but really, that's more of a suggestion. Right?  

After a night of less than stellar sleep (read, woke up with TWO kids in the bed), I got up early--before the coffee started brewing-- to a chilly house.  Getting out the door was not looking promising.  I made breakfast for the kids and then the moment of truth arrived.  I went upstairs to "get dressed" to take the kids to school.  I use the term  "dressed" loosely.  I usually take them to school in whatever I pulled on so I don't freeze in the morning.  This morning it was sweat pants; some days it's pajamas.  I do, however, put on a bra.  So the big question on this cold Monday morning was:  regular bra or sports bra?  Well, the sports bra went on and my hopes of snuggling on the sofa with a book went out the window.

When I returned home to really get dressed, I had to dig to the bottom of my drawer for my cold-weather running pants and a long-sleeved Virginia is for Lover's 14K running shirt.  Undaunted by the howling wind, I laced up my shoes and headed out the door.  

As soon as I started, I was glad I went.  Even though my feet felt heavy as I started out, there were no shooting pains in either foot.  Dressed as I was, the temperature was actually perfect.  I even got a nice tailwind up the first hill.  I had a vague idea of where I wanted to run.  I was hoping it was about 3 miles.  

Running by East Ferry next to the Narragansett Bay with the Newport Pell Bridge in the background is just beautiful.  I passed a lot of runners, bikers, and dog walkers.  I ran by an elderly couple walking, holding hands.  I ran by an old lady walking down the street.  She was so hunched over, she was practically bent in half; but very cheerful in her "Good Morning". (I stood a little straighter and vowed to take my calcium vitamins regularly.)  Most of the cars driver's were friendly and waving this morning.  It was a great way to charge up for the week ahead.

I came back home, picked up Carley and headed out for our walk.  She needs to get out, too.

Today's Run:  3.3 miles.  38:345 mins.  

How do you start your week?  What gets you going?

Feelin' Groovy

The half marathon is over!  It's time to get serious about this running thing.  By serious, I mean getting back into the groove; running regularly.  

I started today.  I went for a short, 2.5 mile run.  I wanted to get back on my M-W-F schedule.  I needed to check out my body, to see how it was doing after Sunday's long, long run.

Hamilton Ave.

It was a bit damp and windy out, but the thermometer said it was 60 degrees.  It was just right to try out my new short-sleeve half marathon shirt I got in my race goody bag.  This shirt has the added benefit of being nice and soft; blowing my nose on it was so, so comfortable. (My nose sweats a lot while I run.)  

I planned a new route this morning.  I wanted to get out of my rut and into my groove.  The only concession to upcoming races was the hill I added to the route.  There are a lot of hills here on Jamestown.  This is the hill.  I deliberately avoided this hill on every other run.  Today, I ran up Hamilton.   No problem.   But this is the next race:  

Newport Pell Bridge

So, there will be hills.  I will welcome them.  They are good for me.

Overall, today's run felt great.  No aches and pains during the run.  I enjoyed it.  I do think it helped that I knew I would be done in less than half an hour.  

Injury report:  On practically THE LAST STEP of my run, my left foot started to really hurt.  This is a new spot for spikes and twinges.  I iced it immediately.  I hope this isn't going to be a recurring theme.

Today's Run:  2.25 miles.  26:38 minutes.  

How do you get back in the groove?

Happy Birthday To Me

An early birthday present to myself.

Happy Birthday to me!  Hello Running at Forty-One!

My plan was to get up and start off this year with a short run, but that didn't quite work out.  

My eldest daughter started off my day with a full breakfast at 6:20 this morning. It was very sweet and very good, but very early.

Then she took my much needed beeping watch with her to school for cross country today (I have to pick her up early).

Lastly, to use my husband's phrase, my plan was OBE (overcome by events).  I had a lot of volunteer/computer stuff that needed to be taken care of this morning and I pretty much have been stuck on my laptop since I dropped the kids off for school.

Yes, I could go run later in the day and yes, I could run without my interval watch. 

But why? 

I have an invitation to go eat sushi with my friend and I will take that over a run any day. Even today, maybe especially today! 

Today's Run:  OBE

13.1 and Done!

Newport Half Marathon                   October 14, 2012                                         3 days before I am Running @ Forty-One!

Brian and Jen

Today's Run:  13.1 Miles  Newport Half Marathon  2:47.38 (unofficial time)  12:47 min/mile pace.

Race Prep

Jen and Brian pick up race packets at
the Newport Yachting Center.

My running hat reads, "This seemed like a good idea three months ago."  Truer words and all that.  It's here.  

Today, we went into Newport to pick up our race packets.  We got our pretty pink bibs, our nice blue t-shirts (I needed a short sleeve technical shirt), and all the goodies that come in the bag. My son, Noah, documented the event with a quick picture. I also picked up some of the watermelon GU Blocks which I have convinced myself will help ward off the dreaded migraine.  

Easy-peasy right?  My running partner was also there picking up her stuff.  She wanted to know what I was wearing, what time I was going to get there, and other information pertinent to running a successful race.  I didn't have any of the answers.  

Now that I have thought about it:

• My plan is to wear what I usually wear, with my long-sleeve running jacket on top.  It is forecast to be cold and windy tomorrow.  
• Since Brian is also running tomorrow, albeit way ahead of me, I figure it's a safe bet that I will just get to the race when he wants to get there.  It will probably be way early because that is just the way he is wired;  I tend to show up just in time to hit the Porta-Potty before the start of the race.  
• I have packed what I consider post race essentials (a Vitamin water and a banana--also part of the anti-migraine campaign) into the bag Brian will check at the race start/finish.  He also reminded me to throw in some sweats so I won't freeze in the wind and rain. He will have plenty of time after he finishes to get his post-race food and drink, pick up the bag, and be waiting at the finish line.  
• Everything is laid out:  My bib number is pinned to my "13.1 because I'm only half crazy" tank shirt.  My running clothes are prepped next to my shoes.  My running water bottle is filled, the pocket is filled with GU Blocks.  My watch, source of the all-important interval beep,  is sitting with my water bottle.  My hat and sunglasses are waiting to be picked up as I head out the door.  The sun should be up by the time we get to the start line.
• The timer is set on the coffee pot (Thanks, Brian!). My muffin and peanut butter are ready to be assembled.  (Really, they are just sitting in their normal spots, but I know they are there).

I think I got everything.  If not, I'll figure it out the hard way.   Good Night!

Uninspired

I haven't been running as much as I was this summer.  I haven't been running as much as I should be running.  I haven't been running as much as I WANT to be running.  

My running mojo left.  It became too hard. Not the running itself.  The run was easy.  It was empowering.  It felt great.  

The run prep was a pain.  It took something easy and made it work.  The possibility of a post-run migraine took a great stress-reliever and made my run the most stressful part of my day.  Not want I wanted out of my running.

I am signed up to run the Newport Half Marathon.  It is next Sunday.  I have to sign up for races to keep me going.  If I didn't have this run looming ahead, I would have quit running completely weeks ago; knowing I was going to be trudging around the streets of Newport kept me running.  I kept up with at least the pretense of training.  I got in enough long runs that I know I can finish the race.  But my running was uninspired.

Today I was inspired.

•   I read a post this morning by my sister-in-law and felt I needed to keep the rhythmic drumming in my day.  
• I have a friend ( a fellow Newport Princess) that is undergoing major, life-altering surgery RIGHT NOW in her quest to live a healthier life.  How can I not go for a run?
• Jessica (another Princess) runs regularly.  Her life is just as hectic, if not more so, than mine.
• I see the changes I have made in my life slowly slipping backwards as I let my running slip away.  I do not want to go backwards.

This morning, I put on my running clothes.  I was going to run.  First I had to drive the kids to school:  in the rain.  Oops.  I forgot to look outside.  But it didn't matter.  Today I was inspired.  Today I was going to run.  I also have very little room for excuses.  I went to the corner of the room and plugged in the treadmill.

It was not a "fun run".  Treadmills are not fun.  So monotonous. On the plus side, my footfalls made a nice hollow sound, very much like a drum.  

I tried to visualize my regular route, but I must have missed an interval or two because when I was almost home in my head, I still had a mile to go.  No problem.  I just did a quick rewind in my head and finished my run.   

The rain had let up a bit during my run.  It was down to a light drizzle, so I took Carley out for our regular post-run walk.  

Today's run:  2.6 miles.  32:18 minutes.  12:25 min/mile pace.

Next stop, Newport.

Not Quite A Long Run

It's fine. I ran today...just not as far as I had planned to run. Yesterday's long run (11 miles) was postponed due to rainy weather and my running partner being sidelined with a foot injury.  

Still, I thought I should get out there today.  After I dropped the kids off at school, I headed out intending to do yesterday's long run.  

Unfortunately, I spent too much time in my head.  I had all kinds of excuses:

• I was wearing a long sleeve shirt and I was hot. (It was 53 degrees.)
• There was a high pressure system moving in (this afternoon) and I didn't want to maybe, possibly get a migraine.
• It was boring running that long by myself.
• This was really supposed to be my short Monday run.

And then it was very easy to turn left instead of right.  I bypassed Mackerel Cove.  I skipped the loop around Ft. Getty.  I just turned left and headed up the hill to the end part of my run.  At least I didn't head straight home.   

But it's fine.  I ran today.

Today's Run:  6.5 miles.  1:17:54   11.54min/mile pace

What are you doing for exercise today?  How do you talk yourself out of shortening your runs?