3.19 miles~~after a week of no running

This week was Book Fair week which means there was no way I could run during the week.  My days are long and exhausting.  I am lucky if I make it to just to make it to work and bed each day, so running was out of the schedule for the week.  

I ran a slow pace and logged barely 3 miles.  But I needed to get out and clear my head after hours of writing a paper for graduate school.  It is amazing how running clears my head and makes me feel better overall.  I can be trying to remember something and having a hard time, but then I go out an run, and all of a sudden I remember it!  Sometimes it is hard to make myself get up and get out, but once I am out there, I feel so much better.  

Army 10 Miler

We drove to DC last night and went to the Army pasta dinner.  That was nice and at a neighboring hotel to our hotel.  The evening was nice and walking was calming and cool.  

We got up around 6:00 and walked to the Pentagon for the start of the race.  We dropped our bags at bag check and got in line to go  through security to the race start line.  Unfortunately, they did not have security set up very well, and we basically stood still and never moved.  All of a sudden, we could hear the starts of a couple of the corrals, and our line started to move.  We barely made our start times (we heading there more than 30 minutes before we needed to be there--and it was a 5 minute walk). This was the worst start I've ever seen at a race.  We were told no iPods or mp3 players or phones would be allowed on the race course, but every other person was wearing/using one.  I think they might have tried to stop people from using them, but due to lack of personnel, they had to quit.  It really wasn't fair to those of us that followed the rules and didn't bring it with us.  (yes, we read and follow the rules)

While the setup and organization of the race was horrible, the race course was well laid out and nice.  I ran so fast I didn't pay attention to what I was running past.  I ran 10 miles in 1:43--pretty darn fast for me!  Of course, I got to the finish line, got my bananas and water, and then had no phone to call and check on Chris (we followed the rules and didn't bring it).  The bag check area was too far away for me to get my warm up suit (I was freezing) and I was not sure how long before I would find Chris.  

We luckily found each other and trudged back to the start line where our bag check was.  We had to climb over two concrete dividers to get there (horrible setup) and that is where I got my race injury...I scraped the back of my thigh raw...ouch.  
Another 10 miles logged.  But we decided right then, we would not run this race again.  

7.19 miles

We drove to Harris Hollow today to run.  It was rainy and we hoped it would end while we were running, hopefully towards the beginning of the run.  But no such luck. The whole time we ran, it was pouring, not just raining, but pouring.  I think it stopped for a few minutes 3/4 of the way through, then picked up again.  But we plugged and plodded on and finished the whole 7 miles.  
That makes it worth it.  
Trying to dry off in the parking lot before getting in the car was difficult.  I'd get a little dry, then the wind would blow the umbrella and the rain would soak me again.  Luckily, I brought tons of towels so I could sit on towels and had plenty for Chris too.  It is always an adventure when we run!

7.7 miles~~HOT!

Ok.  The calendar says it is October.  Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature!  It was 82 degrees today while running, and I am not used to the heat.  I wanted to be able to run most of the way, but I ended up walking quite a bit because I was hot.  Even after that, I ended up keeping a 12 minute pace, so that is pretty good.  

We drove out to Harris Hollow road again today.  We like this route because it is relatively flat (with the exception of the big hill at the beginning-end).  I ran out 3.6 miles and decided to turn around.  My original plan had been to run out at least 4 miles.  Sometimes I make myself a bit nervous, because the farther down the road I go,  the narrower the road gets, there is less traffic, and it can be a little eery.  Plus, I was getting tired and my water was about out.  I decided that since I hadn't been running as often, that 7 miles was an admirable run.  

I am so glad I got in over 7 miles.  And I am so glad no bear or boogey man came out to get me!  Boo!

3.32 miles~~ after work run

Tuesday...work...run...relax!  I got in a quick 3.32 miles after working a little late.  I can tell it is starting to get dark earlier, which means making sure I get home early enough to run before it gets too dark.  Pretty soon I'll have to pull out my lights that attach to my hat and reflective vest.   But until then, I just need to get home and run.  I still take my inhaler every day before running and carry a tissue with me for my drippy nose.  Other than that, running is great!