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....