December 2014 runs

December.  Beautiful fall foliage turns into colder days with snow flurries and frosty grass.  The worst thing about winter is the cold while running.  Sometimes just cold, cold, cold.

December 1, 2014--What a bummer.  I tried to head out, but waited too late.  It not only started getting dark, but it started raining.  Instead of chancing getting run over and soaking wet, I just headed home and only made it 1.5 miles.  Oh well.

December 6, 2014--3.37 miles.  A nice little run.  A bit slow with my pace, but oh well.  It was COLD.  32 degree, but felt like 24 with the windchill.  I ran bundled up with my Buff over my face to warm my breath.  I was in Massachusetts visiting Sarah at college, so it was a bit colder than I am used to.  

December 7, 2014--I really wanted to run, but I just couldn't do the extreme cold again.  Instead, I rode the elliptical for 25 minutes.  What a different type of exercise than I am used to.  It took quite a bit for me to get the rhythm and get the hang of it.  I guess anything new takes a little effort to make it second nature.  I can remember when I started running again, it took a while to run without worrying about where my hands were, how I held my arms, what part of my foot I landed on, and so forth and so forth.  

December 17, 2014--Another day where the GPS wouldn't find the signal.  Another bad weather day.  I need to start picking better days with better weather to run.  I only ran for 19 minutes.  

December 20, 2014--A great day to run 5 miles.  Not a fast pace, but I ran.   The first day I was able to use my Garmin watch again since the strap broke.  Chris gave me a new strap a few days ago, so I got it on and charged it up.  Running on Saturday is an excellent way to give my brain a break from all my studies.  

December 27, 2014--What a month.  Sarah had a tonsillectomy, Laura and Ethan and grandbaby went to Williamsburg, andI hopped on a quick trip to Paris with Chris while he was working.  What a great month.  Today I ran 3.3 miles.  Not a long distance, but a nice pace and it felt great.  

December 29, 2014--Today I got to run with a few snow flurries.  I love that.  It is so quiet and so peaceful.  Even thought it is cold and wet, it is so nice.  4.4 miles.  My pace was good--I think the nice flurries make me run a little faster!  :-)

November 2014 runs

November--the month of falling leaves, raking leaves, burning leaves...ok...let's leave the leaves theme!  I love November with the cooler weather and the beautiful change in seasons.  Virginia is one of the best places to be to enjoy the fall foliage.  I also love it for great weather for running.  It isn't too hot and it isn't too cold.  Perfect for running.  Here are the runs:

November 7, 2014--I only got to run 2 miles.  I got home from work and quickly changed and ran.  When I got home I was on baby duty for the night.  Laura and Ethan had already planned a night out and I volunteered for baby duty.  They got to go paint and I got to take selfies with my favorite boy.  It was win-win!

November 9, 2014--Today was a good 3 mile run.  My pace was about 12:45, which is a little slower than other times, but that is ok. 

November 11, 2014--Veteran's Day.    Today Chris and I just decided out to walk and talk. We went 2 miles.  Sometimes this is the one of the best things to do.  We get to talk and enjoy each other's company and move our muscles.  

November 16, 2014--What a great day.  I cleaned some of my closet, bought groceries, and started the day out with a wonderful run.  I ran 4.42 miles and it felt great. It was a gorgeous fall day with wonderful temperatures--about 50 degrees.  Got to keep it up!

November 28, 2014--Thanksgiving was Thursday.  Friday we went to Green Valley Book Fair--what a fun Black Friday shopping day!  Today I ran 4.1 miles.  It felt great.  Sarah and I also built a behind the sofa table to help hold drinks and such.  

Ok.  five runs in the month. Not great.  I need to average about 3 per week in order to be ready for the Disney Half Marathon in February.  Hopefully I can be ready in time.   

October 2014 runs

Here is a run-down (pun intended) of my runs in October.  

October 3, 2014--Laura, Ethan, and my grandson and I tried to head out and run. Unfortunately, It started to rain and then just got harder.  I took the stroller and ran home with him as fast as I could.  Poor baby was pretty wet on the face even though I had to canopy up.  But he was a trooper!  We only made it eight tenths of a mile!  Better luck next time.

October 5, 2014--Back out to try it again.  Today I was able to get out and run!  Woohoo!  5.5 miles.  My average pace was 11:19, better!  What a nice activity to do for an hour.  

October 26, 2014--What a long time between my runs.  Life interrupted my plans.  We worked on putting a floor in the basement apartment, attended a wedding, hosted a week-long book fair.  There just was no time to actually get outside and run.  Today's run was 3.4 miles.  It felt great to get out and hit the pavement.  So great.  

September 2014 runs

Ok, since I'm having problems not only running, but blogging, I've decided to fill in my missing runs by the month.  Then hopefully I can get back to blogging each run daily.  

September 19, 2014--I ran/walked about 3 miles.  My watch didn't work well (it sometimes won't find GPS out here) and didn't track the mileage well.  I went for about 36 minutes with Chris, Laura, Ethan, and my grandson.  

September 23, 2014--Today I went 3.1 miles My average pace was about 12:00 per mile, which is ok.  I just need to get out and move more than once a week.  :-)

September 26, 2014--Today I walked 2 miles with Laura, Ethan, and my grandson.  While it isn't running, sometimes it is just nice to get out and move and walk.  I have learned to not get too wrapped up in whether I am running or walking, since they are both exercise.  So just get out and move.

4.4 miles--Gorgeous day!

After working all day, I came home and Chris and my daughter were ready to head out and get some fresh air and exercise.  I quickly changed and my daughter strapped her son (my grandson) in the stroller.  We walked for a bit, then I took the stroller and ran for a little bit.  Boy it is definitely harder to run pushing a stroller--even a running stroller---than it is to run alone!  But I needed the extra umph while I run.  We've been so busy at home with the basement finishing, my daughter and grandson arriving, homework, work, and well--just life--that running has taken a back burner.  It felt absolutely fabulous to get out.  I did some sprints while running to really push myself.  I could tell that my lungs were a little stressed and I should have taken my inhaler before heading out.  Luckily, I was able to control it and continue on.  Now, to just get out again on Friday!  

3.53--a little slow...

Today was a little slow, but I logged 3.53 miles.  I had hoped to get more miles in, but it just didn't happen.  Today is Chris' and my 29th anniversary, so instead of going out to dinner, we headed out for fresh air and some walking/running.  We walked for a little bit and had a nice chat and then we ran for a while.  After 29 years together, it was the best night out!  I miss running every other day, so it feels really good when I can get out and run.  

4.2 miles~~out again!

Well, it has been a while since I've run.  For the last several weeks, Chris and I have been cleaning out half of our basement.  We have gone through boxes that we haven't opened in over 9+ years, and some haven't been looked at in over 15+ years!  It was a huge job, but it is done.  We now have purged, dumped, and stored all the stuff on the other side of the basement.  There was so much dust and grime and gross stuff, along with cute and memorable things like the girls' American Girl dolls, and My Little Ponys that were such a part of their lives. 

But doing this took a toll on me.  I was unable to run as much, and all the dust and stuff affected my asthma.  I have spent the last few weeks taking my inhaler more than I have taken it in years.  I think not being able to run also had an affect.  I believe that by running several times a week, I am able to keep my asthma in check.  Somehow, it strengthens my lungs or bronchial tubes, pushes out allergans, and just helps me breathe better.  Sounds weird, and of course I am not in the medical field, so who knows if that is right.  I do know I feel so much better when I run regularly.

So today was my new start (again).  After 2.5 weeks with no running, I went out today and got in 4.2 miles.  My watch wouldn't find the GPS, but that is ok.  I ran with my Skoras, my new favorite shoes.  I don't feel the rocks and such as I run, my feet are padded, and the stretchy outer just feels great.  My heel pain has disappeared since I've changed shoes too!  I plan on running tomorrow or Wednesday--I will not drop it again.

2 miles--walking

Chris and I have felt so blah without our running, so today we just hit the road and walked 2 miles.  We had things to talk about and figure out, so getting out in the fresh air and moving our legs was the way to do it.  I felt so good getting out and moving.  While we've been busy and moving things in the basement and such, it isn't the same as exercising and moving.  Now to run!

3.34 miles--Laura's birthday!

Today is my oldest daughter's 25th birthday!  Hard to believe that she is a quarter of a century old already!  Wow.  That sure makes me feel a little older.  Time sure does fly.  I can remember holding her in the hospital and thinking, "Wow, I'm going to be a parent forever!"  It didn't sink in until I held her that I would forever be a mom.  Now she is a mom herself with her own little bundle of joy.  
But, back to running.  I got out and didn't go much farther than three miles, but at least I ran.  My pace was pretty slow.  It was very muggy and I just wanted to log some miles.  I didn't work on speed or long distance.  Just ran. 

4.41 miles

Tuesday.   Lots going on, but I still managed to fit in a run.  Thank goodness!
Chris and I headed out together and ran a decent pace.  I like when I can fit in more than 3 miles.  If I run under that, I feel like I'm not challenging myself or doing as much as I possibly can.  Sometimes though, I may not have enough time to do more than three.  I guess some is better than nothing.  Unfortunately, it has been a week again since I last ran.  At some point I will get to run more often.  Right now, with all that is going on, this is the best it is going to get.   

5.07 miles~~better

At least it hasn't been over a week since my last run.  I somehow have to work running back into my schedule.  I don't like these long periods between my running days.  I prefer to have more running days than rest days, but now it is long periods of rest (actually super busy days) and then a few running days.  Life just seems to continue to interrupt! 
Today I ran 5.07 miles and kept a 13:20 pace.  Same as the last couple of runs, not fast, but not too slow.  Just plodding along.  It is hard to fit it in with summer school and trying to clean the basement for a remodel.  That is my goal, add more running days!

6.1 miles~~Virginia!

We had a great time in MS and Pensacola Beach, FL.  We got to visit with family and relax (something I needed to do).  I begin teaching 2 weeks of summer school next week, so I wanted to get a nice longer run in before then.  Today I logged 6.1 miles and ran at a pace of 13:20.  Not really fast, but that's ok.  I wore my Skoras again which have basically become my go to running shoe--they feel great and I barely notice that I have shoes on!  I really don't like wearing shoes, so that is always a bonus.  It was a great day!

5.04 miles~~HOT, HOT, HOT

We are in Mississippi visiting family.  I grew up in Picayune, MS (a long time ago) and somehow managed to survive the heat and humidity.  Now that I live in VA, I don't think I am used to the heat and high humidity.  

Chris and I decided we needed to run and get out and move, so we headed out around 9:00 am.  It was unbelievably hot and humid.  I wanted to run to the gate entrance of Chris' Mom's neighborhood which was 5 miles.  I made it there ok, but as I was running back, the heat really got to me.  My lungs were aching and I struggled to walk at times in addition to struggling to run.  I didn't bring my inhaler (I usually don't, but I probably should start carrying it) and basically had to just walk the last mile back to the house.  Chris was worried about me and met me about 0.5 miles away.  

Running in the humidity is really hard.  I am so thankful that I don't have to deal with it daily.  Once I got inside and took my inhaler, drank water, and relaxed, I felt better.  
Just a subtle reminder that I have a disease that I need to monitor.   

7.27 miles~~had to prove it to myself...

Well, so much for getting more runs in during the week.  My hours at work were long and homework and projects kept me occupied the rest of the nights.  So running was hard to do.
Today is Sunday and I decided since I couldn't get out and run every other day, that I had to do more today.  I headed out planning on doing 5 miles, but I ended up pushing myself and going farther.  When I reached the turn around point for 5 miles, I decided that I could do more (I do an out and back run usually).  Then I made it to the 3 mile point and went a little farther.  I was feeling pretty good at both points, but when I reached the 3.5 point, I realized that I still had to go back the way I came.  I turned around.  
It was hard, but not impossible.  I can tell that I am not as in shape as I was a year ago.  I have to try to get out there and run at least 3 times a week to stay in shape. Tammy and Shelly are also talking about running the Disney Princess Half Marathon again in February.  They've invited me to go again. We all completed our first half marathon at Disney in 2013.  So this would be a great race to do again.  I just can't decide if I can fit this in my schedule.  I do like a challenge though....

4.51 miles~~June is half gone!

Today is Sunday and I decided to get out and run before doing a ton of homework.  You would think that without having students I would have more time to run.  But instead, I feel like I have less.  It could be because I am working longer hours and have taken a class that is a semester long course to be finished in six weeks.  Yes.  That might be it.
But I did get out and kept a 12:44 pace for the run.  Must get more runs in and get myself motivated.  

3.58 miles...

Three miles seems to be my standard number.  I really don't want to run less than three.  Somehow that seems like I would be going downhill and backwards from all my hard work.  I really don't want to do that.  I want to maintain or improve.  Not go backwards.  

I ran 3.58 miles and had a horrible pace.  It was very humid.  I told myself all day while I was working that I was going to run.  Of course, with my bad luck, storms were headed this way.  Chris, Sarah, and I headed out to hopefully beat the storms and get some miles logged.  As I was running back to the house, it started sprinkling.   Luckily, we made it home before the storm hit us.  I wore my new Skoras again, and had no issues again.  I am able to wear them without socks and no rubbing what-so-ever happened.  So I might have found my new favorite shoe.  We'll see after I logged a few more miles in them. 

find them at skorarunning.com

6.6 miles

Ok.  I'm doing a little better, it has been only 4 days since the last run.  I'd rather it be every other day, but that's ok.  I got out and logged 6.6 miles.  My watch stopped at 4.6, but I was on the way home, so I knew the distance back home.  I don't have a total time, but that is just fine.  

I love weekend runs when I can get out there and got farther.  It just feels good.  I wore my new Skoras again today, second day.  No blisters, no rubbing, no pain.  Yea!  Why did I want new shoes?  Well, Vibrams are great, and I love them, but they only have a few millimeters of cushion.  So my balls of my feet take a beating.  The Skoras have 16 mm of cushion, and that does make a difference.  Of course, this is only the second day, but so far, it looks good.  Another pair to add to my shoe repertoire.  

3.76 miles~SKORA shoes

Today was Tuesday.  After working all day (and telling myself that tonight I was running) I came home to find my new shoes had arrived.  I have been looking for a new pair to try.  I have a pair of Altras, which are ok, but not what I really need.  I have an issue with my heels, and some shoes will rub and cause blisters.  Since I take forever to heal on my heel (sorry, I couldn't resist) it isn't good.  I actually take a while to heal anywhere that I have sores, cuts, abrasions.  I've gotten myself checked out and it just seems that this is how I am.  I do have very thin blood, so I'm not sure if that is a part of it.
But I digress.  I ordered a pair of Skora Fits the other day.  They are barefoot running shoes that have a stretchy upper and a rounded heel.  I put them on and they felt great.  I hate to say anything too soon, so I just decided to run with them and then see how it is.  It actually felt very good.  I didn't get any blisters, nothing rubbed, and running and walking was easy.  I need to try them out for a few more runs before I make up my mind for sure, but right now, they seem to be a good pair.  
Oh, I did log 3.7 miles in about 48 minutes.  Pretty slow, but I didn't run the whole time, so a decent day.  

3.37 miles~~that's it?!

Ok.  Not sure what is up with me.  I should have been able to get in a longer run today.  I didn't work, so that can't be my excuse.  Ok, but I am a little bit crazy.  I finished my semester of classes and then decided to take a summer course.  It is a full semester course that I am taking in six weeks.  :-0

So today I spent hours doing a lot of reading for my class.  I had hoped to get in more than 3.3 miles, but it just didn't happen.  So I should be happy I got out there and ran 3 miles.  

4.8 miles~~Hump Day

Well, it was a work day, but I made it out to run.  I got in 4.8 miles at a okay pace.  I ran it in 1 hour.  It feels so good to get out there and move.  It has been 10 days since my last run.  10 days too long.  I would love to get back to every other day of running.  With classes and exams lately, that has been difficult.  While I love taking classes and learning new things, it does take a toll on my free time and running time.  I seem to do better when I tell myself all day that I am going to run that night when I get home.  Provided the weather cooperates, I usually get out there and run when I say that.  Hopefully it won't be another 10 days again! 

4.68 miles~~a gorgeous day

It was a gorgeous day today.  And it is Mother's Day!  Chris served me breakfast -- my favorite, a cheese, spinach, and pepper omelet.  Also a side of bacon and biscuits.  He is so sweet to me!  Then I waited a bit so my food would settle, did some darning and such.  

We headed out after suiting up.  It was very sunny, so Chris put on his arm sleeves and I put on sunscreen.  I've been growing my hair out, and it was actually long enough today to put in a small ponytail under my cap!  Little victories!

I ran/walked about 4.6 miles.  At times it was pretty warm, but the breeze always seemed to pick up when I needed to be cooled off.  I tried running up all the hills, but that was probably not the best idea since it wore me out.  I haven't run as much as I was doing a year ago since classes take so much time.  I hope to get more running in over the summer and somehow keep it up when classes start again in the fall.  

6.05 miles~~Sunday

It is another week later and I didn't get to run again.  It has been a busy week with papers and projects due along with a final in one of my classes.  I was a bit slow today, but I tried to just move and enjoy the weather and the beautiful spring flowers and blooms.  

I logged 6.05 miles and kept a pace of 13:14.  I ran and walked today, but at least I got moving.  I ran down towards 231 and make it to the curve right near the end of the road and then turned around.      
The big hill is the hardest part of the run, especially when I go longer distances.  I am tired by the time I get there, and getting up it is really hard.  I used to be able to run down and up the hill going out and then down and up coming back.  Right now, I am back to running down and up going out and going down....and almost up on the way home.  (it is a down hill with an uphill right after it---so it is tough).  

Hopefully I can run sooner than a week from now.  We'll see.

It's been a while...but 6.04 miles today

It has been two weeks, I feel so sluggish!  Classes and life just interrupted and running wasn't in the timeline.  
But today, I got out there and ran 6.04 miles.  Up and down the hills.  But I did it!  My pace was 12:39, not to fast, and not too slow.  I hope I can get out and get in a few more days a week to run.  This is hard just running once or twice a week, or running only once in two weeks!  Somehow I will get in more runs.

I am still fighting a little ache in my heel where the tendon or whatever connects to my heel.  It never hurts while I am running or walking, but hurts later.  My doctor gave me a new cream (a trial he is participating in) and it seems to help.  But the cream is a bit sticky, so I don't always put it on as often as I should.  I probably need to just stretch much more when I am done running.  That would probably help.  I also need to find time to do Stretch X again.  That would feel fabulous.

6.05 miles--it's Saturday!

I can't seem to get out and get many nights of running in during the week with classes.  But i guess it is a good thing I can get out on the weekend still.  
I got out and was able to log 6.05 miles.  The hills still are hard, or should I say they are harder...Since I have't been running much, I don't have a lot of practice with the hills.  A couple of our hills are pretty steep and once I get over one, it seems like there is another one right after it.  

Hopefully soon I'll be able to get in more than just one or two runs a week.  

4.39~~gorgeous day!

I came home from work and got all dressed to run.  I waited for Chris to get home so we could head out.  I didn't know how cool or warm it was going to be, so I wore a skirt and short sleeve shirt then added a jacket.  We headed out and walked for the first half a mile.  Then I decided to run and basically ran the rest of the time.  The sun was warm and there was a light breeze.  I ended up taking off my jacket and tying it around my waist.  It felt so good to run and move.  I even ran down the huge hill on my course road and back up it (well...almost all the way back up the hill).

I need to get in the groove and run more than 1 or 2 times a week.  Now that my classes are close to finished for the semester, I'll be able to fit in a few more runs.  And nicer weather is a plus too!  It was wonderful running without having frozen toes or fingers.   
Here is to more running!!! 

2.78 miles~~more walking than running

Another run lost from the watch.  But I did run today --well, actually walked more than running.  Chris and I went out and we walked more than ran so we could just get into the flow of exercising regularly again.  The weather was nice--there was no snow on the ground, so that was perfect.  We only went about 2.78 miles (not even 3!), but we got to talk and move and breath fresh air.  

4.5 miles~~acck--watch!

Ok.  I am a little frustrated.  I ran today.  Then I ran two days from now, then I ran again.  I had several runs on my watch.  I forgot to write them in my journal.  If I haven't mentioned it, I have a running journal that I handwrite everything in, the miles I've run, the time, the weather, how I felt etc.  When I went to upload it to the Garmin site, it updated my watch and it LOST every run that was on the watch!  ACKKK.

But I did run 4.5 miles.  I think it was in 54 minutes, but I can't be sure.  

3.3 miles~~In Sunny CA~~I'm a GRANDMA

Ok.  I have not been running lately, but there is a very good reason for that.  A very good reason.  On the last day of the Book Fair, my daughter called and said she was having her son.  That was her due date and it was her first child.  What are the chances of that happening?  I had it in my mind that she wouldn't have him until after the Book Fair.  Boy was I wrong.  After a long hard decision, I decided to leave my assistant in charge and try to get there for his birth.  While I didn't make it (she only had a 6 hour labor and only spent 20 minutes in the hospital before she delivered) I was there about 7 hours later.  It was fabulous.  I got to stay with my daughter in the hospital both nights and help with my grandson, Grayson Charles.  I stayed with my daughter since her husband is serving in the Marines and is deployed.  I am extremely lucky, this is something that most grandmas don't have a chance to do. Oh, and I am Nonnie, my husband Chris is Poppi.  :-)

After waking up many times a night and cleaning, walking dogs, and feeding and taking care of Mommy and son, I finally got a run in.  The neighborhood my daughter lives in is pretty hilly, so this run was a tough one.  I was able to get in about 3 to 3.5 miles.  Once again, my watch deleted my run!  The sun felt great.  The roads were buys, but the flowers and green grass were uplifting.  What a great day.  

4 miles~~after a long Book Fair day

Today was our second day of the book fair.  It is always a much busier time during Book Fair.  I am basically running a store while still having regular classes come in.  Plus extra students and parents who visit.  I love the Book Fair, but it is a lot of extra work.  I love that the Book Fair makes children excited about books and residing.  That is a great end result.

Back to the run...I got out and ran 4 miles.  I have no record of my time or splits.  I plugged in my watch to upload them to my Garmin site, and instead, the watch updated and erased all my runs.  Every. Single. Run. I. Had. Done.  I was so disappointed.  But I know I went out there and ran.  

4 miles~~35 degrees!

Well, we got about 8" of snow on top of ice on Monday.  That gave us three snow days from school.  The first day was snowy, wet, and cold.  Chris and I got out and shoveled and made a car path so we could get out if needed.  We stayed in all day Monday and most of Tuesday.  I drove to class on Tuesday night and most of the roads were clear and safe.  A couple of spots on Slate Mills road were still icy and slushy driving too and back from class.  Today the sun was out and the wind wasn't really blowing much.  I still bundled up and wore my gloves with my mittens on top--which I removed before I got too far.  I wore my fleece skirt to keep my bum warm, and a hat.  The only thing that really got cold were my toes!  It doesn't help that there was a lot of wet and slushy parts that I had to run through.  I wear SmartWool toe socks under my Vibrams, but every toe was soaked when I got home.   I knew they were wet, but I didn't realize how wet until I took off the shoes and socks!  I was able to get 4 miles in, and kept a decent pace of 12 minute miles.  I walked a bit, and kept my nose and mouth covered for a while to warm the air that I was breathing in.  It felt so good to move!

I went to the Dr. on Thursday since my throat was hurting and the two doses of medicine I had taken in the last month and a half wasn't working.  I got another prescription and directions to take Benadryl and Mucinex to help.  Luckily it worked!  I am finally getting over the drippy nose, scratchy throat and feeling better.  I do wonder if the trouble with my work heater is making my immune system more worn down and making it harder for me to stay well.  Some days when I get to work it is 53, 59, or 60 degrees.  I brought in two smaller heaters that we run while we are there, but being cold all day is just miserable.  Hopefully it will be fixed soon, or better yet, maybe spring will get here soon!

Yard work!

Ok, I didn't run today.  Instead, I spent all day in the yard with Chris.  We raked, cut bushes, pulled limbs and branches to the pile, drug tons of leaves to a fire pile, burned all the rakings  and used muscles I didn't know I had.  Maybe this can be called "cross training"?!  I did go a"cross" the yard many, many times... Ha ha.  At leaf I got my yard more in order. (whew boy, I just read that sentence...my computer auto corrected "least" to "leaf".  That is funny!)  It is a lot of yard to take care of it.  At some point we need a little less yard.  But for now, this what we have to work with.  

4.45 miles

I worked all day, and stayed a little later today, so I was worried about how far I'd be able to run.  When I got home, our flag was flapping furiously in the wind.  I almost didn't go, but made myself get dressed and step outside.  That is one trick I read.  Don't think about how far or where you will go, but get your running clothes on and head outside.  Then you will just have to run!

I forgot to take my inhaler, but luckily I was ok.  I had planned on doing only about 3 miles, but went farther.  I did the route I do if I think it will get dark on me while running.  I run a 1/2 mile or so to the right of our road turn around  then I pass our road and go another mile or 2.  When I reached the turnaround point, I felt great, so I just kept going.  It is staying lighter longer, so I was able to be out later.  

3.29~~45 degrees~~ so warm!

Wow, weird to write that 45 degrees is a warm day!  But after days of  snow and slush and mush and cold, it has warmed up a bit.  The sun was still shining when I headed out after work, so I even had to wear a baseball cap!  The air was fresh, I didn't have as many layers on, and it really helped clear my head and nose.  

I am still amazed how much better I feel when I get back from running.  Yes, I am tired.  Yes, sometimes my muscles ache.  Yes, sometimes my lips are chapped and I am thirsty.  But, overall, I feel fabulous.  When my head is filled with so many things to worry and think about, running helps clear the fog.  Sometimes I can come back and the worries I had before running are not so worrisome.  So not only is running good for my muscles, my heart, my breathing, but also my brain.  My mental well-being.  

I still have one small injury that can bother me.  It is weird, it doesn't bother me while I am running, only afterward.  There is a small muscle or tendon that runs up the back of my foot to my heel.  The spot where it connects to the back of my heel bone can feel irritated or sore after I run--especially if I don't stretch it well.  So right now, I make sure I stretch it after I'm warmed up, ice it when it is really aggravated, and take ibuprofen if needed.  It isn't enough to go to someone to have it looked at, but it is enough sometimes to be aggravating.  But, maybe I should have it looked at to make sure I won't damage something further.  Hmmm.

3.13 miles~~6 day delay...

Well,  I ran Monday.   Then had class Tuesday and Wednesday.  Then we had 14" of snow on Thursday/Friday.  So I couldn't run until today.  Luckily I got out and ran.  It was cold, and the roads were wet, but it didn't matter.

I had to walk carefully down the driveway in my Vibrams, being gentle and trying not to break the thin veil of ice that remained between my feet and the mush and gush above the rocks.  I didn't want to begin the run with soaking wet feet.  My toes were already cold and seem to stay cold for the first mile before I can feel them again.  I even wear SmartWool socks under my Vibrams, but they are still cold.  I only got in 3.16 miles, but as I was running, the snowflakes were gently falling, reminding me that winter is still lurking around the corner.  It is not finished with us yet.

I realized that even if I go out for a quick 30 minute run, it is really an hour+ endeavor since I have to change before hand, especially in the cold since I have to wear layers, take my inhaler, and make sure the dogs have gone out before leaving them in (even as old as they are, they try to come on my runs--their hips are too arthritic to make it possible).

3.46 miles~~It is Monday!

I spent all weekend working on homework.  The amount of reading I do for one class is tremendous.  The amount of figuring and computing for the other class is equally so.  So I can typically spend about 8+ hours each weekend day in the study--working almost nonstop.  It definitely pays off since I get the work done and am learning a lot.  
But, I got out today and put in a small run.  It wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow, but it WAS a run.  I'll just keep plodding along and adding to my miles.  Each day I go out, I love the feeling.  I love how my muscles are tired, but happy.  I love the fresh air and how my nose and passages clear.  Getting out there sometimes is a challenge.  I have to talk to myself and convince myself that this is the best use of that 1/2 hour-45 minutes.  
And I am always glad I did.  

3.4 miles~~TGIF!

Thank Goodness It is Friday!!
I got out and ran 3.4 miles today.  I really didn't push myself but did about a 12:00 pace, with my walking included.  I am still run-walk-running when I go out.  It is the best method for me to be able to complete a day's workout.  I think the only time that I really run the whole way is during a race.  Weird, but true.  Maybe that is due to races being in the morning, I am fresh.  My workouts are in the evening and I have put in a full day at work or at home studying before running.  The classes I am taking are definitely cutting down on my running.  I wish it wasn't true, but I've decided that I need to have a balance.  I can't run 4-5 days a week like I used to do.  Now I am happy if I can get just 2-3 days in!

2.9 miles

Wow, after many days of freezing temperatures, and below freezing, today was about 60 degrees!  As a colleague said, "50 is the new 80!".  I was able to run without a jacket, gloves, and all the extra stuff I normally keep on.  And NO BUFF for my breathing!  I didn't run quite as much as I wanted since I had run yesterday.

I love how my muscles feel after running--sore, but so good.  I started feeling like a lump of flesh...just blah from not running.  I feel so much better when I run regularly.  In addition, I think my stress is less, my allergies are under better control, my brain seems to be less confused (although maybe my stats class is the confusion...ha ha), and I seem to be sick less.

Now, hopefully I can run again this weekend...

4.3 miles~~after a long hiatus~~brrr

I finally got out to run today.  It was hovering near 50 degrees (which a colleague recently said "50 is the new 80")!  I have not run in many days because the temperatures were below freezing (sometimes around 7 degrees) and the roads were wet with snow, ice, or run-off.  We had so much snow/frigid cold days that we ended up with four days off in a row.  That would have been the perfect time to run, but it was too cold.  The cold air is the hardest thing for me to deal with while running.  I use my Buff to cover my nose and mouth and it helps.  A lot.  But, the Buff can get wet with my breath and if it is really cold, then it freezes!  Or, when I breathe (if I don't put it on a certain way) it will fog up my sunglasses.  Besides that, the air just plain hurts my lungs as I take it in.  Not to mention how hard it is to use that air to fuel my running.

But, today I got out there for a not-so-pretty run.  But I got out there.  I ran 4.38 miles (and had to walk a bit) and finished in 55 minutes.  Not horrible, but not great.  It is amazing in how just 13 days not running affected me.  I actually think that when I run I help "flush out" some of the allergens that affect my sinuses and lungs.  The other factor could be that when it is freezing cold, I tend to stay inside more where it is warm and dry.  So either running outside or just being outside helps keep me healthier.

So here is to running in the glorious outdoors! :-)

2.3 miles~~faster

Today was another shorter run, but I worked on faster sprints during the run.  Boy, that is hard, but fun!  My best pace was 8:06....too bad I can't keep it up for a long distance.  Now I need to work on making the fast stretches of running longer.  

A short but might run!

5.1 miles~~it feels good to move!

It felt so good to get out and move, and move a lot!  It was sunny today, but still a bit breezy.   The sun felt wonderful on my face as I trotted down the road.   

I was able to run 5 miles at an ok pace--averaging 12:40 mile pace.  I used the Galloway run/walk/run method today to make sure I could make the longer distance. 

After this 5 miles, I have run a total of 793.8 miles since I've started tracking my runs.  Which is almost all of my runs since I started back running.  Wow.  Almost 800 miles (although it has been almost 2 years...about 1.5 years so far).    

2 miles~~walking night

Sometimes running just isn't an option.  Today was one of those days.  Chris and I just decided to walk instead of running and we only went about 2 miles.  While it isn't as challenging as running, at least we still got out there and got some exercise.  We also used that time to do a little talking about our day.  

I am disappointed that I'm not running as much as I would like, but there are several reasons for that.  1) two classes a week that mean I am driving 6 extra hours each week and sitting in class for 5 hours, and doing about 20 hours of homework.  2) freezing cold temperatures and snow/ice.   I just can't do a lot of running since the cold air can be painful on my lungs.  3) In the winter, it doesn't stay light as late, so it makes it harder to run after working a full day.  Running in the dark is no fun and very dangerous, so I only like to run when it is daylight.  

Getting up this morning was really tough!  We went to a party and rang in the new year, then drove home 1.5 hours and tried to get to bed early.  We didn't get to sleep until close to 2 am.  Ouch!  Then this morning we got up and drove to Midlothian where our daughter and her husband lives.  

We all ran the First Run/Walk 5K--Chris, Megan, Aaron, Sarah, and I.  This was a low key race through a neighborhood, but it was a fun relaxing race.  I had no issues with the course or my breathing, but truly had a great time.  A highlight was while I was waiting for the rest of the family, I noticed a little girl sitting on the curb reading a Nancy Drew book.  So cute.  (it reminds me of me!)