One Sore Puppy

Run: 2.5
Time: 29ish
Mood: Hot

It was beastly out today! The breeze was nice at the beginning of the run, but then it just....stopped. And it was sweltering.

I did the first two miles with my co-workers Elise and Stephanie, and then finished the last half mile solo. Topped it all off with a few sprint.

My legs are screaming at me - they have been all day. I finished off yesterday morning's run with lunges. Needless to say, I need to do them more often because it hurts to even walk today.

Tomorrow I shall run again!

Also, a shout-out to Jen for running a mile at the gym today. Get it girl! Warrior Dash - watch out!

O Brother

My brother is one angry elf that I haven't been blogging much this month.

David: still no updates on the blog? you are on the verge of losing a follower...

me: haha, hush. you'll have one tonight. i'm super sore from a workout yesterday.

David: nope. not good enough steph. two posts in the MONTH of April?

me: ok fine, give me one sec.

David: I can infer one of two things: First, training is no longer going according to plan. Second, Training is still going according to plan, but I just do not care to update my zealous followers, each of whom crave to live vicariously through my running triumphs.

I'd say it's more like the first one. Ran and did cross-training yesterday, planning a run tonight. And then making up my training calendar for the next few months.

Patience, young grasshoppers!

Sit Down Before Reading

Run: 1 mile
Time: 9:03
Mood: Strong like bull!

Well hi, it's been awhile. Since April 3 to be exact. How are you? Good. Oh me? I'm good, just managed to hit a 9:03 mile pace, that's all.

Let that sink in.

That's right kids, I ran a nine minute mile yesterday. AND I passed a relatively fit looking guy who seemed to be going at a decent pace.

Let that also sink in.

Why is this a big deal? My usual pace is about an 11 give or take - and I'm usually the one getting passed. I've hit 10s before on short runs when I'm feeling froggy. But I can honestly say I haven't hit this speed since high school. And even then, I think I may have run an 8:30 when I was in top shape.

Now let's overthink this. It may have been because I was running in my old orange Nikes which felt super light. It could have been that I've been on a pretty strict diet for the past week and I've dropped a few pounds. It could have been a fluke because I literally took a week off from running.

Whatever it was, it felt fantastic. Down right gazelle-like. A nine minute mile felt great.

And then I walked the mile back. :)

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler

Run: 10 miles
Time: 1:58
Mood: Kicking myself for not training better.

Barely awake.

Things we learned on race day:

• When you train like an ass, you race like an ass.
• I don't know who "Tim" is, but apparently his "slow was showing" according to a sign his friends were holding up.
• I was right to pass up the "free oreos and beer" being offered in mile 7. But it was a pretty amazing idea.
• I, in fact, do not know how to eat Gu without getting it all over me.
• Seeing the finish line is all the motivation I need to start my finish kick.
• Chocolate Mint Balance bars taste like Thin Mints.
• I have the best boyfriend ever. Seeing him jogging on the sidelines in flip flops trying to get pictures was so great. So supportive, thanks dear. :)
• You can STILL maintain a 12 minute pace when you walk/run mile 7 through 9.
• And finally: I need to train better!

 

Running.

The race went well until about mile 6. I started getting tired, and sluggish. I will admit - in the spirit of truth - that I did a walk/run combo for miles 7 through 9. Walk for about a minute, run for a few minutes. I was definitely that annoying person that I usually hate who will walk, I'll pass them, then they'll run again and pass me.

I DID manage to beat the slow bus. So I guess it was a success.