tempo run 6/26

So I got my ass up and out the door at 7 for a tempo run. I'm too lazy right now to look it up on my gps, but I ran about 3 miles in 28 minutes. Not very fast, but not terrible either.

I am getting terribly nervous about my 1/2 marathon in September. K. is going to kick butt and I am probably going to crawl over the finish line in the last hours of the whole damn race.

I was talking to a friend who is doing an iron man triathalon in 2 weeks. It sounds HARD. My measly 13 miles seems like nothing compared to his goal.

easy run 6/25

Well, I had planned on doing a 3 mile tempo run today, but as soon as I got outside in the sun I wilted. It was only about 83 with low humidity and a nice breeze, but I felt SO hot and miserable. My feet were filled with lead and I could barely move.

So instead of a fast 3 miles I did a lame 5 miles. I won't tell you how long it took me, because it was THAT slow.

Hmmm, could it be the 10 twizzlers and the cheese and crackers I ate a few hours before that slowed me down?

I swear I am such a dumb ass sometimes.

interval run 6/23

I ran 3.63 miles with 7 intervals.

long run 6/22

K. and I ran 8.35 miles in 1 hour and 28 minutes.

I love these runs with K. We listen to each other's joys and sorrows. We cry and we laugh. And man do we sweat!

In all seriousness, thank you, K., for be you.

xoxo
c--

tempo run 6/19

Ran 3.1 miles in 27 minutes and 52 seconds. It certainly isn't my best time, but it is what it is.

interval run 6/18

Today I ran about 4 miles with 6 intervals. I was a bit slow on the speed work, but I am trying to be kind to myself this week.

I deserve it.

(free and) easy run 6/17

Ran for about 30 minutes today no gps, no music. I just ran hard and fast in the rain.

Damn it felt good.

Freeing.

why?

My friend K. and I have decided to run a half marathon this fall.

13 LONG miles.

Very, very long miles.

As most of you know by know, I love running but I am not a terribly serious runner. I try and get out on a regular basis, but my weekly mileage is rather low, and I am not super fast. Yet for some unknown reason I decided to run this race.

Why?

I've been thinking a lot about why this race is important to me; about why it matters. Is it because some other, more dedicated runners I know suggested it, and I don't want to seem like a wuss? Perhaps. Is it because sometimes all I do seems silly and empty and extremely boring? More likely.


My husband has been a runner for almost 20 years. In that time he has run only one race. He never charts his weekly miles, and after any given run he has no real idea about how far he has gone or how long it took. He simply enjoys getting out there and feeling fit and free and strong.

I want to have that kind of freedom. I want the freedom to just run out the door, no GPS strapped to my wrist, no race to train for, no calories to burn off. I want to revel in the fresh air and quiet and the sound of my own footfalls.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I do enjoy the actual act of running, but I still find myself having to tie it to bigger goals and achievements.

Recently I reconnected with my freshman year suite mates from college. They have all done so well for themselves: a doctor, a PhD in history (from Stanford!), a chemist, a museum curator, and a computer whiz.

And then there is me.

Maybe I need those t-shirts and metals to prove something to myself and the world. Maybe when I talk to everyone else out there I need to feel like I have Something Interesting to add.

Maybe this 1/2 marathon will be that Something Interesting for while, at least.

easy run 6/16

I ran a very slow 3 miles today. My legs are still achy from the long run on Saturday.

I am hoping to get back into the swing of things this week with an interval run, a tempo run, and another easy run before my long weekend run.

long run 6/14

I ran 8.38 miles with K. today.

And it KICKED MY ASS.

My sister was here for a while, so I was behind on my running by two weeks. Trust me when I say that when you don't run for two weeks then run 8 miles you will feel like crap. But a good crap, if that makes any sense at all.

Anyway, thanks again to K. for inspiring me. Love ya lady.

long run 6/1

K. and I ran 7.7 miles today in one hour and eighteen minutes. Yeah us!!! It felt great and my shin didn't hurt at all.

I probably won't run much next week as my sister will be in town visiting with my nephew, but we hope to get in many long walks together.