First back to back running days in a while: done and done!

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

I resumed my long Sunday run schedule this weekend. Did a 5 mile run, walked some of the up hill parts, but overall probably ran about 90% of the time. That was the longest & most challenging run I have done since the half. Plus it was coming after my first full week (3 runs). But it went well. It was also my first listening to an audio book, not just a podcast. And it felt good, very refreshing to go that far without any extra soreness!

So today I went for my Monday run, took my easiest 3 mile route. And while I did walk some as a concession to the back to back day, I was running an easy 80% of the route. And again, no extra soreness. So it appears I am right on track for my resuming more serious running training in a couple of weeks, after my birthday.

The head clearing effect of a good run leads to a wonderful morning with the kids

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Today's Run

I had a good run today, hit 4 miles comfortably. Managed to catch Kim before she got to work. And that run really did the trick as far as clearing out what little congestion I had in my head from my cold. It is amazing how easy it is to handle a cold if you treat it right: get plenty of rest when it hits, take it as easy as possible, etc. then it should only last it's normal 7 days. They only linger if you don't do that, which I realize not everyone can follow that prescription, fortunately for me I can and make a point to do so.

So after completing that run my mood did not waver, if anything it improved, as it was Friday as well. The kids and I had a good time this morning, joking, wrestling. I even ran Danny through a spelling quiz without too much pain. It's amazing sometime how that early morning ritual can have such an effect on my mood the rest of the day, especially combined with the mental effect of a Friday.

Loving the effect of brisker mornings, clear head after a run

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Today's Run

Still taking it easier on these runs, holding to that 3 mile mark while I make sure I am recovered from the Half. Plus had to fight through the yearly head cold. Hit me Thursday, stayed home & rested Friday, spent most of Saturday & Sunday on the couch.

But Monday morning I got myself out the door and got in a good run, despite my nose leaking like a sieve. And today the same thing, just powered through it. Although I did have to change to the long sleeve shirts as a concession to the morning chill of impending fall. Otherwise it has been pretty much running as normal.

Did try something new last week, and like it as a way to divert my mind. It started with those commercials where the marathon runner is listening to an audio book. It had not crossed my mind to try something like that. So last week I downloaded a couple of podcasts, and tried running while listening to one. And the run went well, maybe a little slower, but pacing is not really my focus these days. So that's a fun way to make my runs more interesting. Right now my focus is on football podcasts, but I might look into some audio books as well as an alternative.

Resuming regular routine, just for the fun of #running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Today's Run

I was glad to just get back into the start of a routine today. I took the last week off as recovery from the Half marathon. But a week was enough. I was actually going to run yesterday, but 2 late nights (for me anyway) meant that sleeping in was the best choice.

But today I got back into a regular routine. Plan to run at least 3 days a week. Not adhering to any specific training regime, just getting out and running for the fun and health. And focusing on keeping the mileage under control for now, not anything extreme, 3-4 miles at most for now. Because now I can just focus on establishing/resuming a regular exercise routine, without any major distance goal in mind.

Could've quit, chose not to & feel so much the better for it #running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

I planned on my race beginning at 7:00, that was the time my other races were, so that time was stuck in my head. So that's what time I went down to the race, factoring in a little prep time. I guess I should have been tipped off by how people were looking at me. But I just figured I was earlier, eventually I asked one guy if I was missing something. And was surprised when he said the race started at 6:30!

I was upset, here I was, 20 minutes late. I had a choice at that moment: start running or give it up.

Initially I thought of calling, then thought I could just run home, it would have been easy.

But I decided against that, against the easy choice. Instead I chose to start running. Figured I would just finish the race, who cares what place I got, because I could use my MiCoach to track that for myself. So I started, and just found my rhythm & pace. Eventually, around the 3rd mile I passed the first person.

Just like last year my leg started tightening up around half way. So after battling it for a mile or so, eventually settled into an alternating fast walk, then run, rhythm. And I held to that the rest of the race, which helped me have the strength to run out most of the last mile.

Cool enough I came into the last section just as Jimmy was running in the mile fun run. So we ended up finishing at almost the same time. Which meant Kim had to take a picture of me then run to his finish. He was a little more successful, placing second!

So, I went from thinking about quitting, to thinking of cutting the race short, to gutting it out and finishing. And doing that gives me the best feeling, better than I might have felt just racing the race normally.