Marathon Dreamer

Didn't sleep real well last night.  Tossed and turned a bit... just couldn't get comfortable!!  Poked around this morning... having issues trying to get myself out the door, but once I left, it all fell into place.  Average pace 9:12 (which was a little fast for my long run) but I did have a few stops to drink fluids where I paused my watch.  I have a few circle K's on this route that I like to stop at to get water/drinks vs. carrying them with me.  I may try my running belt next week.  I haven't been using it lately as it gives me a friction rash!!  The last mile wasn't a pleasant one.  I was tired and fatigued.  I am sure the heat here plays a role but I am just happy that there is no humidity!!  My breathing is much better here.  Along this route, there are lots of sprinklers going off... I love that!!  Running through them often gives me a second wind.  After I finished my run, I jumped in the pool at home.  It was refreshing!!

REST today.... however, did my upper body weight routine and ab ripper X.  I am sore today.  Tomorrow I plan to do some speed work!!

Workout #1 - 5:30am - Just ran with Dave!! What a nice morning! 3.5 miles and it was great to have his company... I did 3x1200 with 30 second recovery (pace between 5:18-7:00).... the rest at 8:40 min/mile. We ran over to Val Vista, to the canal entrance off of Guadalupe and back up to Baseline. Dave hasn't run in a while, but he did really good at around a 9 minute/mile average. Warm out there!! One thing about Dave, if he sticks with running... he generally improves very quickly.  I hope that he gets back into a routine like he was in before he got sick....

Workout #2 - Treadmill -  4.5 miles.... progressively harder... I started slow at 0% incline and increased speed and incline every four minute maxing at 7:30 min/mile pace at 2% incline.... was a great workout - nice and challenging!!

A bit humid this morning.   I could feel it in the air as soon as I went out the door to meet Burt for our run.  Burt was running late and then nature called - I had to hit up circle K for the bathroom so we started our run just a little later than we had planned.  Burt and I ran up the canal and then stopped at his house on the way back for some water.  As we were leaving, we saw Burt's dog Ginger at the gait.  She was whimpering there.  She was saying "Hey...please take me with you?"  I hadn't mentioned to Burt, but I speak fluent dog and cat. Burt decided to bring her along for the remainder of our run.  Ginger did great with the 2 mile distance!!  I told Burt that I think she may be a marathon running in the making.  As usual... I talked Burt's ear off.... nice morning!!  I was pretty tired today- Burt and I were both sore.... the run felt really hard, but we stuck with it!

I was tired today and debated about cutting my planned workout short, but decided I would just alter it a bit.  Headed over to my mother-in-laws house with my boys late this morning and hopped on the treadmill.  Did 2 miles nice and slow to warm up at 10:00 min/mile pace and then proceeded with my tempo run of 5 miles at 8:13 min/mile pace.  Kept the incline at 0.5% which is how I altered the workout so that I didn't feel totally beaten up.  It was challenging still and I felt great when it was over.... even got a little runner's high and I cracked a smile as I finished the run. ;-) My mother-in-law made some great food for me and the boys.... eggs, potatoes, and real bacon (I usually only make turkey bacon).  It was a tad greasy, but it was really good!!  Washed it down with some OJ.... awesome!!!  In the afternoon at the apartment, we hung out by the pool with my nephew, brother and my mom.... then the clouds came... thunder and lightning threatened so inside we went!!

5 miles in the rain.... 9:34 min/mile pace.  Felt hard for the first 2.5 miles and then it seemed like my body finally woke up!!  I haven't run in the rain in a long time... it was nice.  Did something different this morning.... listened to the radio instead of my usual programmed songs on my ipod.  Some of the talk shows this morning were cracking me up!!  If anyone drove down Val Vista Drive this morning and looked at me.... I must have looked like a lunatic smiling and laughing to myself!!  Oh well.... I will continue the happiness later when I reward myself with a nice tall beer and wings at Zipps!!!  It has been a great training week for me!!  I am very excited about the last 2 weeks of training that I have had!

Met Burt outside my apartment complex at 5:30 am.  Light sprinkling rain and humid air for our run this morning.  I was feeling the week today and new it would be a bit challenging for me - my legs were sore and burning.  The moist air effects my breathing significantly.  Burt was such a trooper dealing with my chatter and this morning, some complaining and whining as we made our way down the canal.  We did see a water bird, a few dogs, some noisy peacocks, some stinky oxen, and several runners.  Once runner tried to touch Burt.... I threatened to kick his rear!! Two boys around the age of 12 were up early to hit the canal for some fishing.  When we finished the run, Burt and I had planned to jump in the pool... major bummer that the gates were chained up.  I never thought to check the time that they open up the pools as I've been able to get in a lot earlier.... it must be different on the weekends and they chain the gates.  Burt came up to our apartment and got to meet my cat Meow-meow.  They immediately bonded.... Meow-meow looked at Burt saying to him "Don't you dare touch me" and Burt wisely kept his distance.  We are planning to get our kids together this week here at the pool here.... they will have a blast I'm sure!!  Average pace for our run....9:12 min/mile.  We took a little breather half way through the run so that I could frolick in the sprinklers....