Feels Like Off Road Running

Our last long run we did was 16.5 miles. The weather was really nasty out-cold, misty rain, & windy. Not the nicest conditions. I mapped out a different route this time. I like to do different routes every time because I feel that, if I'm going to be running for 3 hours and eventually more, I'd like to venture off the beaten path. I like to say to myself, "I remember that run I did that time over that bridge..." as I'm passing by in my car, also thinking to myself how nice it is to be riding at that moment.

The last couple of miles seem to always be the hardest for me when picking up my mileage by 2. Legs on fire and pure will and comraderie getting me through and the great feeling of defeat knowing I accomplished something I had no idea I was capable of.

It's the joy of running that keeps me going.

Mini Workout

Just wanted to post about a short 30 min workout I did last night. I know sometimes not belonging to a gym can be a little unmotivating but there really isn't any reason you can't get in a great workout, in the convenience of you own home! And on the plus side, no gas needed to get there. So I told myself, no excuses, Kristin!! Husband is running late tonight, you need to do some strength training and the kids are being quiet so why not take advantage?

Even if you don't have any weights at your house, there are still plenty of different exercises you can do right at home. Here's a list of what I did last night:

Warmup-aerobic dance to get started
one-legged squats
tricep push-ups(did regular ones the night before)
jumping jacks
single leg toe raises
plank holds
air punches
jumping squats
sit ups
stretching

There you go! Even though it was a short workout, I felt better knowing I did something, rather than nothing.

61 Days Til 26.2

I have a lot to catch up on since I haven't journaled about my training since before Thanksgiving. I did a 5k with my cousins back in November. It was the first 5k I did in about a year! I was a little nervous about my performance but I am pleased with my time of 26:10. My PR is 26:06 which I did last year. We had a really great time though which matters most to me.

Me(second to right)

I started working on some speed drills during the week and we did a long run of 14 miles a few weeks ago. That was an experience to remember! We weren't able to meet up early that day so we decided to go when my husband got home from work. We met up about 3ish and headed out for our run. We didn't plan it right that day because the days were getting shorter and it was getting darker earlier. Plus, we decided to run on the trail which in most spots is a little secluded. As we were hitting mile 9 or 10 the sun was almost down and we were starting to push ourselves faster and faster to beat the dark. But we didn't make it and we were running out of steam. Getting more nervous by the minute, my running buddy, S, decided she would look out to the left and I was assigned the right LOL. It's funny now, but it wasn't then. We did joke at the end that, we'd have that night to remember for a long time. Thank God, we did make it back safely.

It worked out in our training schedule that our next long run was the OUC Half Marathon. My personal goal was to do it in under 2 1/2 hrs. I did the Disney Princess Half back in March but didn't do it for a time and just had fun with the whole experience of dressing up in costume and being with a group of friends. So I was pleased when I finished this half in 2:19! Can't imagine that in Feb. we'll be doing double the distance!

So tonight is fearsome cold out but I'm still going out for my run. I'm going to try and brave it for as long as I can. I think it's in the 40's right now.

Now it's evening. I did go for my run. It was freezing! But I felt really good for most of it. My plantar is still bothering me some. It was doing great until I wore these shoes on Saturday that messed up my foot. That's what I get for wearing shoes without support. But I know that the night sock is going to help tremendously. Just like everything else in life, I need to be consistent for it to do it's job.

Well goodnight! Until the next run...