Week 4 Day 6

This week got all jumbled. I was supposed to run 6 miles on Thursday but couldn't because my friends deceived me about how long we would be at the beach--and really about going to a beach at all! So instead I hiked about and spent half an hour in a paddle boat.

No worries, I thought. I can just run 6 miles today after work! Well, that didn't happen. Instead I went to a festival with my boyfriend.

So that leaves me running 6 miles tomorrow then 11 miles on Monday.

At the beginning of training I decided to do my long runs on Sundays. Every single week it's been pushed back to Monday for some reason or another. Should I fight this schedule, or just let it be?

Race Day

One year ago today I ran my first mile. Since then I've run hundreds of miles. And tonight? I ran my first race.

Well, almost my first race. When I was in 7th grade I joined the track team. I never took practice seriously. I was always faster than my siblings so I thought I didn't need to practice running. Instead I'd mosey about and socialize with my friends.

At the meet we were all lined up for the event, the only event I was registered for. If I recall correctly it was a 200 meter run. I was confident and ready to beat my competition. Ready...set...go!

Within a couple of meters I was already falling behind. I was stiff, slow, and crampy. The pack finished a full 100 meters ahead of me. I wanted to quit, and hide in shame.

So I did quit. I avoided gym class and all other sports throughout junior high and high school.

But that was then. Tonight my practice and work paid off.

I finished 2nd in my age group, with a final time of 25:25.

Sorry, the pic is a bit dark.

Week 4 Day 3

Tonight I ran a quick 5k. It was my last training 5k before the race on Friday. I did a faster than normal pace without throwing it into high gear and finished with a 25:38 time. I still have a mid-length easy run tomorrow, 6 miles. I'm going to take a slow pace, probably about 9:30 min/mile so I'm not sore for Friday.

Here's to hoping everything goes well for the race!

Also, I used the stick again tonight and discovered a rather nasty knot on my calf  that I didn't know existed. I'll have to keep working at it.

Week 4 Day 1

I took a couple days off. Why? Honestly I just wanted a break. My lower legs were hurting a bit so I wanted to rest them. Then last night a Dairy Queen blizzard sounded infinitely better than a run.

I got right back on the wagon today and ran 6 miles with absolutely no lower leg pain. It was no easy run, though. My heart felt like it was working harder than normal even though I had a slow pace. I blame a combination of the high noon sun and the fact that I haven't gone running since last Wednesday.

After my run I experienced the greatest pleasure known to mankind.

The Stick!

It arrived on Thursday. It's a waterproof and flexible stick with rollers designed for deep massage. It came with a chart on how to use it on different muscle groups.

I used it on my lower legs and my neck.

Oh man it felt amazing.