One Bad Ass Runner

After my first ever 20 miler, I felt fine. Almost no soreness, some issues with the ITB on my right knee, but otherwise ready to go. So, I decided to give a short recovery run a try, since I was on the verge of breaking into 200 miles this month. So off I went and by Mile 0.53, the skies opened and I had to go back home. While I waited for the rain to stop, I finished 30 minutes of kickboxing which improved my legs a lot. Then I finished the 3 miler at a pace so slow, I think the turtles were passing me by. I finished Monday with some weights. I thought that I would be sore from that workout today, but I felt even better. I had a 9 miler scheduled and the weather cooperated. It was cloudy and cool. A mere 84 degrees. Some sun but some rain and lots of clouds for the most part. I noticed the cool weather immediately since I was breaking sub-12mm as soon as I started. By Mile 2 I was breaking sub-11mm. I finished the 9 miles in 1:38:52 or 10:59mm, which is in the faster range...

Wow! Who would have thought I would be able to run 20? And I ran it the whole way, except when I had to stop home for some reason or other. So, I'm very proud of myself. And I'm still moving so no major issues. This was a somewhat hard run. Everything that could happen was thrown my way to see whether I would quit. I twisted my ankle during Friday's run, my feet and legs were sore from Thursday's tempo fiasco, I am getting a cold and to top it all off, I have some symptoms related to women issues that I knew I had to deal with during this long run. In addition, there was a very hard rainstorm at Mile 2 and Mile 13. But I prevailed. Stats: Temp: 83-88F Heat Index: 93-102F Humidity: 82% - 73% Dew Point: 76-78F Goal Pace: 10:56 - 11:56mm Pace: 12:54mm Fuel: Gu Chomps every 2.5 miles, water at every mile, Gatorade after Mile 13 Here are the splits with some comments about the run: Mile 1 - 12:42 (soaked already from the sweat. It's also 5am and I'...

The run was not that bad, but yesterday's run made me sore, which means this one made me sorer. And I twisted my ankle at Mile 7. I continued running and I hope is nothing. I have the beginning of shin splints, some achilles soreness and 1 day to prepare for m FIRST EVER 20 MILER. Not in the best shape to do it but I'm still going to. 8.35 miles tonight at 11:52mm which is long run pace. It was hot. When I came back home at 9pm it was 86 feels like 96. I did not want to look further. But I am still hoping for Winter to come soon.

I should have taken an SRD today but nope, I wanted to run no matter what. I had to go to the Apple Store to pick up my Ipod and of course, I decided to purchase 2 Iphone 4s for my husband and I. I left the store so late and the store is so far from home the trip back took 30 minutes without traffic. As soon as I got home, I dressed and went out. I had an 8 miler with 6 @ tempo scheduled for tonight but since it was already 7:30pm, it was too late for that. So, I exchange the 6 I had for tomorrow with the 8s and attempted 4 @ MP. Well, I forgot to check the weather; it was too hot for that. 86 (heat index 96) with 77% humidity and 76 dew point at 8pm! I was barely able to eek out 1 warmup mile and 2 miles @ MP when I had to walk. And run. And walk. Finished with 5 miles in the end but I felt deflated. Until I saw the temps and I felt better. So off I go and get back up. Tomorrow we have 8 and 20 on Sunday. The show must go on.

The weather was horrible today. 100% chance of thunderstorms, 100F (heat index) and 100% humidity. So, since it was going to rain, I chose the TM. Usually the 100F would not deter me running outside, but I was glad it rained because the 100% humidity was not nice. Legs felt dead for about 4 miles. I had another sleepless night last night, so I have not slept well and that was probably the cause. After Mile 4, I was able to maintain a nice pace and finished at pace. Average 11:25mm. Still mulling over my first 20 miler this weekend. I hope I can do it and injury free.

Time and time again I remember why I should take my allergy medication every night before going to bed. It always messes my runs; cannot breathe, nose runs, etc. In addition to that, I was unable to sleep more than 4 hours last night. Then, I spent all day walking around the office in high heels, followed by driving more than an hour to pick up an Ipod that was not ready to be picked up. Finally I made it back home in time to meet the running group and my miles feel like crap. It was hot but cloudy, which is good. Since Saturday, I've been finally running on pace. Today was my best run pace-wise, yet my worse run because I felt so bad. 7 miles at 10:55mm; not bad at all (it's actually one second faster than pace, LOL). And I'm taking my allergy medication right now!

Today I had an 8 miler scheduled as the long run for the week, being a cutback week. I've not felt my best throughout the week and my energy has been kind of down. I'm still fighting a cold that seems never to run away and a dry cough that came in last November, left in April, and came back last month. My husband (he's a doctor) had warned me that this type of cough comes back again and again without cure or explanation and he was right. Sometimes it bothers me while I run, but most of the time it's just there. Temps have been quite cooler lately (since it's been thundering and raining the whole weekend). By cool I mean 83 (feels like 93) versus 90 (feels like 103). My pace really felt it today. Goal Pace: 10:56 - 11:56mm Actual Pace: 11:25mm Temp: 83F Heat Index: 93F Humidity: 80% Dew Point: 77F Overall, a nice pace that makes me hopeful that when the temps finally come down, I'll be pacing all right.