Speedwork on a Friday!?

Today I went for a run and logged 9.5 miles of fun and speed. Yesterday we had killer storms all day and by time the rain cleared it was a steamy evening. The next day I opted to keep my planned six mile run with a friend and added on as many 800s as I felt I could do. Our morning run was a great run due to the cloudy start. Who knew the sun could change a run so much!? After I drove to the track and added 5x800s. Of course as I pulled up the sky cleared and the sun made its grand appearance.

I took a lap to find my groove and jumped into it. I felt good as I took two loops around the track each time. I jogged a ninety seconds recovery then walked to my starting mark. The last two 800s I could feel myself melting in the sun, but I pushed through five. At the end of my morning I had an easy six miles with a friend and another three and a half miles of speed. Feeling good!

Timed Mile

Today I went for a run and ran a timed mile. I have done mile repeats, but never have I ran one timed mile. And boy, was that tough! I remember conditioning in high school and doing timed miles, but that was decades ago! As part of my new goals for the month I completed my first, a timed mile, in 6:56. Now, I’m no Usain Bolt, but this was a good baseline to see where I can get to in a month! Considering my last speed workout was almost a month ago, I am pretty happy to be under 7 minutes! The winds were tough, but not as gusty as the previous day. My arms were pumping, and pacing was a beast for something that was over in four laps. So I started strong and just tried to hold on….. Now onto my next challenge! Let’s tackle another 5k and half marathon for the virtual Wahoo! Lemonade Running series!

Christmas Eve Loops

Today I went for a run on Christmas Eve and got some speedwork in before a busy day. I ran to the track and met the guys who were already looping the track. I haven’t done 800s or any speedwork in forever, so why not throw some in after taking the last few weeks easy. We finally committed to the A1A marathon and booked our tickets Monday, so game on! I was about to settle on 6 x 800, because the guys finished up their run and I felt like I did enough. Instead I pushed through a total of eight and felt pretty good and accomplished as I finished the last loop.

On my run back I thought about how easy it is to just “save things for another day.” Runs, another lap, barre class, calling home, catching up with a friend, or just checking something off a to do list. Sometimes you’re tired, but most times you’re just being lazy. A little more effort is something that we shouldn’t give up on or begin to slack. I got home and went into Christmas Eve mode – shopping, wrapping, attending Christmas Eve mass and a party. I was on the move the entire day and pretty excited I still had steam despite the speedy morning.

Thursday Track Loops

Today I went for a run in cooler temps and completed a kick butt track workout. My alarm sounded at 5:30am; however, I did not move from my bed until 6:15am. It was a slow morning mainly because I was drained by the run, yoga, SUP and barre class I took yesterday. I checked the weather and weighed the costs and benefits – a classic move when you really want to NOT run. Unfortunately it came down to: it’s Thursday your last chance before the long haul this weekend. I laced up, grabbed my water bottle and took to the road. When I made it to the track there were three other people there enjoying the pleasant, cool morning. I started my first 800, a solid 3:30 as I felt my legs finally waking up even after the already completed two mile warm up. I continued to find a groove around a 7:00 minute pace while jamming out to Queen – Another One Bites the Dust. What!? I nailed 8 x 800 keeping between a 6:44-7:03 pace. I have no clue where that came from, but it felt great! I ran home slowly feeling pretty accomplished and thinking about the saying:

Swampy Loops

Today I went for a run and completed some loops around the track. I haven’t completed many up tempo runs since I’ve been on vacation, so I took to the track to do some 800s. Gee, that seemed like a great idea until I stepped out the door and was hit by the wall of humidity. It was hard to find an even pace and my recovery times differed each repeat. But despite the thick air, my legs felt strong and I pushed through until the end. It was comforting to know I wasn’t alone: there was an older speed walker, another man walking and a woman keeping a steady pace who joined in as I did my loops. At least I wasn’t alone in the swamp, and happy about the fit community I live in.

Motivation Monday?

One week until the NJ Half Marathon – looking forward to a Jersey Shore run!

Today I went for a run after tons of procrastination and lots of motivational searching. We drove back from NJ this morning in time to do laundry, unpack and clean up everything we dropped Thursday before we left town. I have to say I was tired, hungry and not motivated to run. I’m sure every profession could claim to be the busiest, most stressful or overworked group employed today. Teaching is tough, under appreciated by the public, yet the most rewarding profession that I wouldn’t trade for anything else. However, as a mom I wish I had a few more days to spend relaxing with my own kids which is part of the reason why it was hard staying motivated this weekend to run. It reminded me of the quote below I saw on Facebook from #lifeinadayofarunner. Everyday you keep showing up and you find a way even if you only have a spring weekend and no spring break.

From – Life in the day of a runner Facebook Page

Spring Saturdays – busy but the best!

Today I went for a run after being hit hard with the stomach bug on Thursday. Despite Thursday afternoon/evening being a blur I struggled to work Friday and got home and slept for 12 solid hours! I couldn’t miss Friday because my mentee asked me to wear her Jersey and attend her teacher appreciation Lax game after school. Flash forward, I woke up this morning, made my son breakfast and took off to get some loops around the track. I bumped into a few others running the track and sparked conversation with a guy running the upcoming Deleware Running Festival. We both joked that once a marathon runner, always a marathon runner; however, both of us were content with our planned half marathons this spring. Overall I felt great despite the previous illness, got to relax while I took my daughter to softball and then got in some serious yard work.

2 weeks until the NJ Half Marathon!!!