5.49 miles~~spitting rain

Today was Sunday and it was dreary and spitting rain.  I decided to head out before the sky opened up and really rained.  I didn't run super fast, averaging about 12 minute miles.  The rain probably helped slow me down, plus I was just tired.  If I don't get enough sleep over several days, I can get exhausted easily.

I made it the whole 5.5 miles wearing my VFFs and Injinji socks.  I was hoping the socks would help keep my toes a little warmer than not wearing them.  It did help.  Of course, it was spitting rain the entire time I ran.  

When I got home, I tried to warm up, cuddling under a blanket.  Before I knew it, I had slept for over an hour, and as my husband said, "Without ever moving an inch!"  

3.5 miles~~ Spring is here, YEA!

This seemed like a long week, but it wasn't any longer than any others.  Some are like that.  Some days actually can seem as long as a week. But I was determined to come home and run--it was an absolutely gorgeous day and I deserved to get out and enjoy it!

Chris telecommuted today, so he was already home.  We got ready and headed out.  We walked the first 1/2 mile and then I started running.  The sun was shining and warming my arms, the air was calm and it was perfect.  I kept plodding along, one foot in front of the other enjoying the day.  My right ankle was acting weird, but sometimes I think too much about my form and then I do weird things while running that make it worse.  Even with my allergies, I enjoy the fresh spring smells--the cut fragrant grass, the perfumy dogwood blossoms, the business left by the dog plodding 100 feet in front of me--uh, no...that is not pleasant.  The next several seconds were spent staring at the road in case he missed the grass when he made his deposit.  And holding my breath and breathing through my mouth--which is almost as gross.  Needless to say, I had planned to walk at the odor spot, but instead I actually ran faster!  The worse smell of all while I am running is when a car passes and the person in the car is smoking.  It just wafts out their window and lands on me, usually making me cough and sputter.  Luckily, it is gone quickly.  

I decided to make the run a short one, since I was so tired, and beat Chris home.  I quickly mixed my Accelerade drink and peeled an orange for us to share.  An awesome day!

 Now, if the weather would just stay in the 70s for the next several weeks before heading to the 80s and 90s, I would be happy.  We need a little spring before heading into summer.

4.5 miles~~Breezy!

I got home from work and Chris was busy trying to mow the grass before the oncoming rainy weather.  He knew that if it rained, the grass would sprout like crazy, so he was hoping to get ahead of it.  I dressed quickly, and decided to wear a short sleeve shirt and a skort, which was a good idea since it was in the 70s.  I took down our US flag since it looked like it was going to rip off our post the way the wind was whipping it around.  

That wind kept me busy while running.  It literally pushed me backwards, sideways, every which way while I was running.  I definitely felt that while running which made today's run a harder one for me, but I guess sometimes you have these type of days.  I also started to get hungry and weak feeling.  I even ate some Triscuits at the end of the work day and ate an apple on the drive home.  I guess it just wasn't enough!

Due to all this, I just didn't run as well as I usually do.  Luckily, I made it home ok and ate a protein bar and drank my Acclerade.  I felt much better!  I have to remember to do better with nutrition on my running days!  I guess I really hadn't eaten much today~~ yogurt and a breakfast bar, then a frozen lasagna with yogurt, and the Triscuits and an apple.  

At least I learn something new every day! 

4.46 miles~~great sunny day!

Today was a beautiful sunny day, and about 57 degrees.  I was afraid that it was going to get cooler like it usually does in the evenings, so I wore a jacket over my long sleeve shirt.  I wore capris instead of pants.  I am glad I chose capris, since it seemed much warmer than the temperature indicated.  I ended up taking off the jacket and tying it around my waist for most of the run.  I also  I chose to wear my Injinji socks with the same VFFs that I wore last time to see how they worked that way.  I had no problems with the VFFs, so that was nice.  I walked 3 minutes, then ran 2 miles, then walked 3 minutes etc.  I haven't done a run like that in a while, since I've usually been just trying to run as much as I possible could each time.

It was so nice to have the sun shining.  I have missed having nice warm days to run.  It was great having warm toes and fingers!  Although, I do have to start wearing sunscreen.  I went to the dermatologist a few weeks ago and had a little "talk" about running and not wearing sunscreen.  Since she is a runner too, she understood how uncomfortable it is to run with greasy lotion all over.  She gave me several options and Chris and I have bought a couple to try.  She highly recommended sunscreen with physical blockers instead of chemical blockers.  Of course, I had no clue what she meant at the time.  Basically, she said to look for sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide or both ingredients.  There is nothing like being 49 years old and getting "fussed at"--but I guess I had it coming since I haven't been wearing sunscreen!  Of course, I do wear it daily in my moisturizer and always wear protective clothing on the beach--just not while running.      . 

3.29 miles on a Wednesday

Well, I haven't run in a few days.  Life sometimes just interrupts and gets in the way.  After work, I headed home and got myself ready.  

Once out on the road, I didn't start running right away, but walked 1/2 a mile before running.  I felt pretty good and was able to run the rest of the way.  I wore a newer pair of VFFs and they did rub a small blister on the side of my foot.  My Bikala ls's never did that, so that is a little strange.  I'll have to see how the shoes do on other runs.  I've worn them before, but with Injinji toe socks in the winter.  
One thing I've noticed after wearing VFFs for over a year is that my feet have changed.  My toes have spread and my toe box area is larger.  Basically, they have become the shape that they should be if I didn't wear constricting shoes.  Now it makes it a little harder since some of my shoes are not not as comfortable.  My sandals are fine, but some of my winter/fall shoes are a little snug around my toes.  But that is ok...it is a small price to pay to have the ability to run without pain.   

10K--Moosic City (Nashville, TN)

Yesterday, we drove to Nashville, TN to visit our daughter who is in school at Vanderbilt and to run the Purity Moosic City 10K race.  It was a 10 hour drive, and we had a great time there.

The race started at 7:30 am, and we got there in plenty of time to pick up our packets and walk around.  We even took our picture with the Purity chocolate milk jug!  

 

Chris and I decided to wear our tech shirts that came with our registration, which is always a risky thing to do.  I've read you shouldn't try new shoes, clothes, etc when running a race since you don't know if they'll be comfortable or not.  But, luckily, the shirts were comfortable and didn't bother us.  Mine was a little bit long, but that was it.

The course was very flat and for at least half the way, we ran next to the Cumberland River.  So beautiful.  The crowd wasn't as pumped and excited as some of the races that I've run around here.  I don't know if that is something regional or not, but it is interesting anyway.  In other races, people cheer each other on and always at the mile markers people cheer or whoop or something.  Here I noticed no one did it.  So at miles 3, 4, and 5, I decided that I would holler as we passed over the mark.  Then a couple of other people around me did the same thing.  So maybe they just needed inspiration! Or maybe I was in the group that wasn't as excited.

I had a great race.  I ran it in 1:06.08, which is two minutes faster than my MCM 10K race in October.  I averaged a 10:31 per mile pace which is the same as my Commitment day 5K pace.Amazing!  I felt great the whole race and finished strong.  I was thrilled to see our daughter at the finish line (but I didn't see her until after I crossed, not when I passed her).  Purity Dairies provided milk, oj, and other drinks and ice cream.  There was also spaghetti, rolls, and macaroni & cheese. The whole event was managed well and very organized.

Some runners ran the 5K at 7:00, finished and then ran the 10K at 7:30.  Talk about a humbling experience to watch runners with two numbers (one from each race) pass me close to the finish line.  I know it is only 13 miles, a half marathon, but it is still amazing!

Running these races continue to motivate me.  The early morning wakeups to arrive at the race is the worst part for me.  But I do enjoy getting out there and racing and trying to do better.  

 

4.22--the temps went up 30 degrees!

Chris and I knew we were going to run tonight, and knew it was going to be warm. The temperature in Charlottesville the other day was in the 50's.  Today, it was in the 80's.  Talk about a huge difference!  My body is not used to such warm weather, but we pushed our way through the run.  I finished 4.22 miles today.  I had to walk quite a bit tonight, due in part to the heat, but also due to my sore calves.  The hills at the race and my determination to push myself really wore out my calves.  We have a 10K race on Saturday, so hopefully I can stretch my calves, use the Stick, and massage them to feel better.  This has only happened one or two other times, and luckily, this time isn't as bad.  Maybe my calves are getting stronger, or I am learning when to back off while running so I don't cause too much muscle fatigue.  For the first time in months, I ran in shorts and a T-shirt.  No trying to figure out how many layers I would need to stay warm while running!  I will probably regret wanting warmer temperatures when July gets here! 
 

8K--Charlottesville 8K Race

We had a race today!  Chris and I got up early (4:15 am) and suited up, made coffee, and grabbed a small breakfast, then headed out.  It was still somewhat dark when we got to downtown Charlottesville, but found a parking garage close to the race.  The garage was across the road from a farmer's market that was setting up for the day. We gathered our things and then followed other people to race starting point and pass the finish line.  When we passed it to pick up our packets, it really looked like a small finish line--more like an alley.  But when we ran through it, it seemed much larger than that!

Once we got to the packet pick up, it was funny to see a 3 or 4 foot high pile of snow left on both sides of the entrance.  We got our numbers and checked our shirts at baggage check...I have got to remember to bring one of the bags that we get free with us...it would make baggage check much easier!  I had my Princess one in the car, but didn't bring it with us.  The marathon and half marathon people walked out for their start, and the arena was pretty empty.  Then they did a call for the 10K racers.  We followed the group to the starting area...which was uphill!!  Wow.  There weren't a ton of people--I found out later there were 195 people, but it didn't seem like that many.  

We started and joked a bit about the hill, then turned the corner.  The race took us through part of UVA (University of Virginia) and downtown Charlottesville.  It was a much hillier race than I had imagined, but luckily, I run a few hills here at home.  I really tried to push myself a bit, and walked a few times.  There was one water/gatorade station in the race, so I grabbed water at this one.  The most interesting place to see was an old Coca-Cola bottling plant--a brick building with the name on the top and 1939.  It was sad to see it was abandoned.  I talked for a short bit with a lady pushing a stroller, uphill...past me!  This was the first race she was pushing one--it was for a friend.  I was impressed.  

I finished the race in 55:31--averaging 11:11 per mile!  I was shocked that I kept my pace up.  We walked around the mini-expo after the race and visited some vendors.  Imagine my surprise to find out that we were walking around on top of an ice rink.  I knew it was a rink, but I had assumed it was a roller rink, not ice rink.  I figured this out when I removed my VFF to do some stretches and found out the floor was freezing!

We didn't stay for the awards, since it wouldn't take place until 11 am, and our race started at 7:00.  Plus we really had no reason to do so.  Imagine my surprise when we got home and my husband checked our times to find out I had placed!  Not overall, but in my age group--I had placed 4th out of 11 of women 44-49, and the top 5 in each group were announced and awarded something.  I emailed the contact and she has since let me know she will mail my award.  (I did offer to go pick it up)  Wow.  My first time EVER placing in running.  What a cool memory. 

Bad to the Bone did a great job on this race.  Ending in Downtown Charlottesville was very cool, the runners were energized and excited, and the overall experience was great.

5.33 miles--still cold!

Ok, it is April 4, and I am still wearing gloves, a hat, and jacket when I run!  I thought I wouldn't need them in April anymore!  I know that when it is 90+ degrees in the summer, I will long for these days, but right now it is tiresome running and having cold toes, cold fingers, labored breathing, and chapped lips.  Plus, figuring out how many layers to put on without being frozen or getting too hot is frustrating.  

I was able to run 5.33 miles, which was great since 5 was my goal.  I have an 8K (5ish mile) race on Saturday in Charlottesville planned, and I wanted to make sure I could do 5 miles before then.  It was supposed to rain tonight, so it was lucky that it didn't rain while I was out running.   I kept a 12:12 mile pace which was surprising since I felt a bit sluggish while running.  I couldn't seem to get in a good rhythm and get my legs to work as they should.  But somehow I made it 5.33 miles--pure determination and perseverance.  Sometimes that is what makes a run possible.  

4.1 miles--started with a headache...

I got home from work today with a slight headache, so motivating myself to run took a lot. I took some Advil and then suited up and took my inhaler and headed out.  I think one reason that I might be getting these afternoon headaches is lack of sleep.  Chris and I have figured out that I probably need at least 7 hours if not 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night.  So if I am getting 6 hours for several nights, then I start to really show the effects.  I need to make an effort to get a good night's sleep every night.  Of course, that is not always easy to do, I tend to work on the computer, clean dishes, do laundry, read, watch TV or many other things instead of getting to bed.  Even though I need it.  I guess I am a bit stubborn.  

It is hard to decide what to wear right now because it is still cool--in the 40s to 50s--but not super cold.  And of course you warm up while running, so mainly the first mile is the coldest. Luckily, while I was running, my headache seemed to fade away.  I have been fortunate in that respect lately.  I thought running would jog and jumble my head and make the headache worse, but it doesn't normally do that.  I was able to run 4.1 miles, about a mile more than I had planned, which was nice.  My pace was a bit slower, but I was just trying to make sure I ran, and not really worrying about speed or improving.  My goal was just to get out there and run.