A bit of a break

Hello there everyone, sorry, I've been a bit out of the blogging groove these last couple of weeks.

So yes, I was sick. I missed 3-mile training runs on 4/8, 4/10, and 4/17. I got in a 4-mile run on Saturday the 12th and a 3-mile on the 15th, but all said not exactly a stellar training period. Colds suck. 'nuff said.

Then, this past Saturday - 8 miles! It was an awesome run actually. We ran part of the actual race course - from Billings Farm in Woodstock to the Quechee polo fields, just past The Inn At Marshland Farm (where my hubby and I got married, actually). We left a car at each end, stuffed a bag with water and goo shots and dropped it by the side of the road, and we were off! Three of us ran, two (pregnant ladies) walked it. Aside from the water stop in the middle, we ran the whole way. It felt quite good actually.

Then yesterday I had the worst run I've had in MONTHS. I couldn't figure it out, it was only a 3 mile run, which we decided to do on the trails in the nature preserve behind my house. This is where we did all our running last summer, and so it should have felt familiar. However, I couldn't seem to get into it at all - it was totally a mental block, I wasn't too tired, but my body just wouldn't run for me. But after the run, I realized that all this time training on treadmills and the road has allowed me to develop a relatively consistent pace, and it is very difficult to maintain that when trail running - so many twisty little paths, ups and downs, rocks and roots, etc. So I'll be heading back to the road tomorrow, in hopes that it is indeed the solution. I hope I'm not permanently broken!

9 miles to come on Saturday. I finished Harry Potter #7 on the run last Saturday, and while I was tempted to just listen to it again (I love that book...) I thought something fresh might do me good. So I'm listening to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, which I'm enjoying so far. I haven't read the books in decades, so it is like reading (listening) to them again for the first time.

I'm beginning to sense a pattern here

I'm feeling a little low, not really into the running groove. I head out, somewhat unenthusiastically, for a challenging run. I return victorious, energized, jazzed, ready to tackle the next run. Bring it on! And the next step?

... I get sick. I've been down with a cold since Sunday. :-( Which means no run on Tuesday, no run today. I should be back for Saturday's run, but I'm bummed I've had to miss these two. It's spring! I can run outside! I am nearing the (dramatic, gripping, wonderful) end of Harry Potter on my ipod! Nothing can stop me now! ... Except a little snot...

We are the champions, my friends...

... which is what I was singing when I re-entered my house after my triumphant 7 mile run! That's right, I did it. I DID IT! 7 miles, and..... drumroll please.... NO WALKING! I ran the whole dang thing!

We ran outside - no snow, no rain. It was damp out from all the rain yesterday, but otherwise, excellent running conditions. I did great until about mile 5.5, when I hit a bit of a wall, but now I just know for next time that I'll need to give myself a little "snack" right around that point (oooh, weird exercise gel packs, can't wait!)

Not much more to report about it, other than I did it. But I think that's enough, right? !

Checking in, catching up...

Hello blogging world, sorry to have neglected you. Here's the training update:

Thursday, 3/27 - 3 miles, inside at the high school gym. They have an elevated walkway around the top of the gym, which community members can use during the day. You get the added bonus of watching gym class while you run. :-) I actually had a pretty crummy run. I couldn't seem to get my rhythm going, and it was really warm in there, so I don't think I'll be heading back there again. I suppose I was moving, so that was a plus, but in reality it wasn't much better than the treadmill.

Saturday, 3/29 - 5 miles! On the treadmill. I should have taken a lot of joy in completing this run - my first 5 miles, ever. But I think Thursday's run had me down, so while my 5 was a pretty good run, I just couldn't seem to muster enthusiasm or excitement over the achievement. Not like when I first ran 3 miles (ha! Seems so long ago!) when I ran around proclaiming it to the world with great joy. So I ran 2.5 miles, walked for a minute, and then ran the remaining distance. I think I needed the break mentally more than physically.

Tuesday, 4/1 - skipped :-S I really wasn't into it, and stayed up too late the night before, and hubby stayed up WAY LATE working on a business proposal, and I didn't want him to have to deal with AM kid stuff, and.... well, I basically made up a bunch of excuses and skipped. By Wednesday morning I was regretting it though. I may not love the running, but I like the feeling of using my body. Makes it feel like less of a useless lump.

Today! - 2 miles on treadmill. It was a shorter run today to prepare for Saturday's 7 miles (GULP!) which I'm desperate to do outside (although the report is currently calling for rain... better than snow I guess!). Anyway, I picked up the intensity today, and it was a pretty quick 2 miles. Glad to be back in the saddle again. It was good to miss a day and regret it, helps me to chase away the thoughts of skipping next time!

Stay tuned for the 7 mile adventure...