2.1 miles~~Really the last run before Disneyland!

Ok, last time really wasn't the last run before Disneyland, today is!  We were able to sneak in one more short run before things get hectic.  I got a lot done on the running outfits on Sunday, so getting out there today was possible.  We didn't go very far or very fast, but we did get out there and logged 2 miles.  That is better than nothing!  Next up is 13.1 miles!  Woo Hoo!

7 miles~~last run before Disneyland!

Today is Sunday, and a beautiful day.  Chris and I drove up to Harris Hollow so we could get a nice long run in on a flatter terrain.  We headed out and I tried to push myself a bit to increase my stamina.  I ran 7 miles and kept a pace of a little over an 11 minute mile.  It felt good to run a little faster.  My goal was to also not walk as much if possible.  I was able to do that for the most part.  
I know I won't run much before the Half Marathon this coming weekend.  We work all week, I have class Wednesday and Thursday night, and then will leave early in the morning on Friday.  Somewhere in there, I have to finish our costumes (we are going as Cinderella and Prince Charming) and pack my suitcases. I know how I am doing the costumes, I just need to find time to get it all done.  
Chris's costume is red shorts and a white shirt (all running attire).  I have used gold foam door hanger kits to create the epaulets for his shoulder.  I will hot glue fringe and trim around them and use a few stitches to attache them to his shoulders.  Then we will add a gold braid to one shoulder and a gold ribbon "belt" to the waist.  That is it!
Mine is a light blue Brooks tank and skirt that I will add things to. The peplums will be satin half circles I will sew on and the shoulder trim will also be white satin with stuffing sewn to the shoulders.  I have decided to dye a white hat yellow to be the blonde hair, then I will add a ribbon for the headband and pom pons for earrings.  I just need to find a ribbon or something for the black choker.  Now to find time to get it all done!

3.74 miles

It is a little over a week until the Disneyland Half Marathon.  Since today was a work day, I only logged a short run.  A little over three and a half miles today.  Basically I am trying to just keep moving as often as I can to keep my muscles stretched and limber.  Speaking of stretching, I do need to make sure I do Stretch X or some type of cross training to stretch out my muscles.  It has been hard to run as often as I would like since I have started back to school.  I drive 1.5 miles each way two days a week to attend classes at UVA.  I am enjoying being back in classes, but it is hard to run as often as I would like.  There are always compromises when you have new beginnings.

8.2 miles~~a long one!

We wanted to get up and get out running early today, but when we got up, it was pouring!  Also, we took our youngest daughter to the airport yesterday to fly to Denmark for her study abroad.  I kept my cell phone by my bed (I never do this) and did not sleep well.  I was waiting for her texts that she had made it to Brussels and then on the plane and then to Copenhagen.  I know she would be fine, I just never sleep well when I know my children or husband are traveling.  I like to know that they are there and safe.  Kinda funny since my husband was AF for years and flew for United!  I know it is safe traveling, I just like to know they are where they need to be!  I think I finally fell asleep sometime after 2:30 am, and since Chris got up at 4:00 and said I was sound asleep, I know I slept some.  Too funny that he also couldn't sleep!  

We used the rainy morning to get an international calling plan for our landline and cell phones so we had the cheapest way to communicate with Sarah.  Right before our run, we were able to chat with her for a short bit and hear about her travels and first day with DIS.  She will have a great time.

We drove to Harris Hollow to run after taking the trash to the dump.  We like this run because we can go 4 miles or more one way and then turn around.  If we one day are strong enough, we could do the entire circle which is more than 10 mile...probably closer to 15 miles.  Needless to say, I didn't do that today.  The weather was very fall-like and there was a cool soft breeze blowing.  I ran out for 4 miles and then turned back.  Yesterday, after returning from the airport, we had a black bear run in front of our car close to home.  Of course, this made my imagination run away with me while I was running.  At about the 3 mile point, the road narrows a bit, becomes skinnier, and follows a river.  I started thinking about how bears like to travel the rivers and kept my eyes peeled for one.  As things like this always happen, there were fewer and fewer cars on that part of the road (it goes up a mountain from there so not many people live that way) which only added to my imagination.  Luckily, I did not have a bear encounter or any other animal encounter.  I did realize about then that I didn't bring water with me or chews.  And my stomach decided then to demand food!  Since I was 4 miles out, my only recourse was to make it back to the car.  Luckily I did, and quickly drank my Accelerade.  Even though I was tired, I was thrilled that I got more than 8 miles in today.  The Disneyland Half is two weeks away, and I have been worried about my lack of time to really train well.  I logged 8.27 miles at a 12:08 pace.  Not bad!

4.45 miles~~a little farther and faster...

After working all day, my husband I headed out.  I am still tired, and am hoping I can catch up on my sleep this weekend if possible.  I don't do well with under 7 hours of sleep and after a few days, I need to catch up.  Even knowing this, I will stay up late trying to finish things.  One day I'll learn.

I did get a little more miles in, but not much.  I ran 4.45 miles at a pace of 11:48.  I really pushed on some sprints and did under 10:00 and under 9:00 for a little ways.  Of course, I couldn't keep that up for a long distance, but it felt exhilarating to do it for a stretch of the road.  I was proud of myself today!  

3.73 miles~~slower...

Yesterday was the first day for students in school.  I am madly trying to catch up with computer work and getting our new students into the system and programs that we use.  I even went to work on Sunday after church trying to get a jump on things.  I always forget how many things there are to do to get ready for a school year.

After work, I got outside and ran 3.73 miles at a pace of 12:24. My lungs are doing well, it is just a little humid which makes going faster harder to do.  I couldn't go as fast as the last couple of times--I was also just too tired.  I am trying so hard to catch up with life, that I am just wearing myself out.  Too many events and things to do in the last few months.  Maybe things will slow down soon.  Well, after we get our daughter off to Denmark.  That is the next big event in our lives...besides our normal work, classes, and other stuff.  

We also have two elderly dogs that seem to be having a rough time sometimes.  Actually, one is having a rough time.  Right before the wedding we found out the smaller dog, Domino, has kidney disease.  Wow.  What to do?!  She had lost so much weight and wasn't eating. Our dog sitter had to administer fluids subcutaneously to her for her to actually make it through the wedding weekend.  I seriously thought it was time to make the decision to put her to sleep...and then she improved!    

5.74 miles~~Chris' birthday!

Today is Chris' birthday, but we still needed to get outside and run.  We plan on celebrating once we have showered after running.  I needed to get out and log some more miles to increase my distance.  I tired to go a wee bit faster and ran 5.74 miles at an 11:57 pace.  

I don't think I'll ever be able to break a 10:00 minute pace--I think my body is past that point and age where it might have happened.  I am definitely glad that I am still able to get out and run without major injuries or aches and pains.  Things could be a bit worse than just being a slow but steady runner.  Slow and steady wins the race (and here I mean the health race...not the real race!) 

3.16~~walking not running

My husband and I decided to just walk tonight.  This walk gave us time to regroup and talk and just felt good.  We logged 3.16 miles (a 5K!) and kept a leisurely 17 minute pace.  

The last few weeks have been a flurry for us.  We moved our daughter and then had the wedding two days ago.  Everything went very well.  It is just exhausting.  I missed the first day back for all staff, so I jumped into work yesterday.  I tried to get things in order before leaving, but I must not have done enough...I already feel like I am behind.  Life just keeps on going on.  I guess that is the amazing thing about it, life doesn't stop!  :-)