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! :-)