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!

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.  

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!!! 

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.  

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.

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...

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).    

3.17 miles~~New Years' Eve!

I ate breakfast this morning and then decided I needed to head out and run.  Today was a sunny day, although it was breezy and cold--36 degrees.  It felt great to get out and run with the sun on my face.   I knew we had a party to attend later in the day, so I made this a shorter run.  I felt great and enjoyed stretching my legs and moving.  Happy New Years' Eve!