Chicken

I chickened out and didn't run yesterday. I'm actually not supposed to run on Fridays anyway but my schedule got messed up when Daniel came to visit. Last night my body felt like crap and my head was so full of sinus pressure I thought it might explode right off of my neck. So I decided to just take it easy and get some sleep. And what do you know, after a good night's sleep, a mouthful of Ibuprofen and my 6-mile run this morning and I'm feeling much better (also some prayers in there... I hate being sick).

I love Saturday morning runs when the weather is just right. Warm sun, cool breeze, good music... today I felt like "this is why I run. I love this" I took it easy and ran it in 55 minutes (9:10 miles), and just really enjoyed it. I only picked up my pace once when I came up behind some ladies and I could tell our pace was way too similar, with me just barely faster, and I didn't want one of those awkward situations where I'm running right behind them for a minute, right beside them for a minute, and then barely passing them so I crossed the street and picked it up on the other side. It felt good that I had the strength to make my body do what I wanted it to. So yesterday I chickened out, but today was totally rewarding. It's funny how running can be so different every day.

Chill out on the pace

So I think I figured out why I struggled so much last week. I had decided that I needed to push my pace on these short runs. So I kept getting disappointed when it really wasn't much faster than usual. Yesterday I decided to just run my natural pace on my 4 miles and it felt really good to run again (finally). And I ran 8:30 miles so it was barely slower than usual. It's like all I was doing was making my stride awkward and hating it the whole time. So no more of that. Yeah, I might include some speed work every once in a while, but for the most part, I'm just going to do what's natural.
I have a cold and my head kills, but I read in a magazine that running doesn't make colds worse and some think it might make you get better faster so I'm still going to put in my 3 miles today.

First "long" run

Saturday was my first long run. A whopping 5 miles! But even though it wasn't very long, I've got to avoid running at 3 in the afternoon, even if it is May. It was hot out there and I was struggling! I've gotta get the discipline to start getting up early again.
Well I ran it in 43 minutes, which is 8:36 per mile. That's not bad for me, but I was really pushing. I needed Becca's comment about eating the right carbs/protein. I think that's what's holding me back. I just don't have the energy out there that I need. So my goal this week is to eat some better fuel foods and see how it goes. I'm also trying to do better with keeping myself hydrated. Runners World says your pee should be clear, so that's my goal, haha.
Today I run 3 miles again.

Results: Ran the 3 miles, felt ok, ran at 7 p.m. and it was so much nicer. 24:56 (8:18 miles). Passed 2 high-speed police cars, a cop on foot pointing and yelling at someone, and by the time I got back to my neighborhood there were 3 cop cars patrolling and one had blocked off the road. Just another day in Midvale.;)

Day 4

Today's three miles were hard for me for some reason. I'm just feeling heavy this week. I haven't gained any weight (I've actually lost a little), but my body just feels heavy for some reason. Probably gotta get some more muscle tone to pull me along. I pushed through it though and ran the 3 miles in 24:57 (about 8:19 miles) so a little better than last time. It didn't come without effort though and it was hot out there! Tomorrow is cross training and I'll probably do some muscle work on my legs.
p.s. why did my total time end in a 7 every day this week? weird.

Day 3

So I'm on day 3 of training and so far, so good. I ran four miles today in 35:47 (just shy of 9 minute miles). I'm feeling a little slow, and it's starting to get hot, but it feels good to get out there anyway. Yesterday I did some core work. I read an article on Runners World about how important a strong core is for running (not doing crunches but strengthening those deep abdominal muscles, your back, and butt). I'm sold. I can feel the strength coming from my core while I run. Guess that's why so many runners love yoga and pilates. So that's gonna be a big focus on my cross training. Alright, only 3 miles tomorrow and five on Saturday. This week is a breeze.

One down

Day one of training is now history. I ran my 3 miles in 25:37 (8:32 miles). A little slower than previous 3 milers, but that's what you get when you take 2 weeks off. Today I get to do some cross training (probably some workout video) and then I have 4 miles tomorrow.

Official training starts TODAY

This is it. Sixteen weeks until the big day. Today is my first official day of training. I think I'm a little ahead of schedule, so training is going to seem pretty easy for the first few weeks. Today I start with 3 miles. Tiffany and I are following the Marathon Rookie training schedule (the running days work really well for me and Tiffany suggested it so she likes it too). I hope it works out well.

I am fully committed to the training. For the first 6 or 7 weeks, it's really not so bad. But I am dreading the 20 mile long run. I really am. And the 16, 17 and 18 mile runs. But if you're gonna run a marathon, you gotta do it.

I'm also hoping the weight-loss fairy will come and help me drop some pounds during the course of my training. I know it seems like it would be impossible not to lose weight with all that running, but with all that running comes all that eating. It makes you so hungry. But if I could lose 10 lbs. (that's it. ten measly pounds), it would make running so much easier. Gotta do it.

Okay, here I go!