A spring in your step! Running 3/22 and on

[Ambikes]

I got home from Costa Rica just over a week ago, and things are finally starting to settle down! I didn't run in CR because it was way too hot for me, and I refused to spend any time in the gym while I was in paradise. I did do tons of beach walking, snorkeling, and hiking, though.

I managed to sneak in all my long runs by moving one up before I left and doing one late the day I got home. I was pretty happy with that accomplishment.

I had a good 11 mile run outside on Saturday. It was my first long run outside of the season. I ran 4 on the treadmill yesterday, and I was absolutely thrilled that I was able to do all 4 miles at just under a 10 min/mile pace. After 2+ years of plodding along, I feel like I am finally arriving as a runner!

[jessmarimba]

I did a whopping 3 miles and it was awful. Couldn't breathe (smoke from the fires, maybe?), legs felt like I was running through pudding, and my back felt terrible (tense from work? no idea). Even with that, I think I was going faster than I have in awhile, though I don't wear a garmin or a watch anymore so it's hard to tell.

Nice to have warmer weather and sunlight. Yay!!

[skhill]

High winds and a looming storm front sent me back to the treadmill this morning. I kept changing speed with every new song on the mp3 player, so it's strange that somehow I ended up doing 6 miles in precisely 54:00.

It should be no surprise, but I've discovered that if I wait until after my run for the first cigarette of the day, I run substantially faster... Like I think I'm doing a 9:30 pace or so, and it's more like 9:00. And yes, I'm working towards quitting entirely-- my deadline is my 40th birthday, 2 weeks from today...

[sgf726]

Easy recovery run yesterday - 3.3 miles, 9:45 pace. Hills tomorrow then the 20 miler on Saturday.

[Jolt]

Just got back from about a 35-minute trail run...I really need to work on running uphill--I end up walking any but the shortest or most gradual climb. Even on the road. Yesterday was a short run around the neighborhood (about a 2.25-mile loop) and I managed to scare the heck out of a couple of girls who were walking--apparently they didn't hear me coming up behind them so when I ran by (giving them plenty of space) one of them let out this loud SCREAM. Then all three of us busted out laughing about it. I know I don't make that much noise running, but wouldn't you think people would be paying enough attention to hear me before I'm about to pass them? I certainly hear people well before they're that close to me...

[limewave]

4 miles in the sleet and hail and wind, 8:30 avg. Another 4 tonight with my running partner, probably about 10:30 min/mile average. Hopefully the weather doesn't deteriorate between now and then or we'll have to cancel.

[limewave]

10 mile progressive run. Starting at 10 min/miles and ending with 8:45s. Managed to keep somewhat of a conversation going the entire time. It was freaking freezing out. So ready for warmer weather.

[7rider]

Had a brutal head cold all week - managed to eke out 30 minutes on the treadmill on Wednesday and it set me back for 2 more days.
Today, I was feeling "normal" - so three of us kept our date for a speed workout at the local HS track, leaving from my house. We ran there to warm up, did 3 intervals (2 laps run, 1 lap walk) and then ran home.
I've done this twice before and they came out as 5.16 and 5.17 miles. Today, I did the same route, and it was 4.9 miles. Go figure. Actually...I think I know what the issue was...we didn't walk one lap of the track when we got there before we started our intervals.
But, I did them today. They weren't pretty and I had to walk some of the second lap on intervals 1 and 3. I was bringing up the rear on the run home. And I was slower than the 2 other times I did this.
Still...I lived to tell the tale so I'm pretty happy that I think I can survive next Sunday's 8k road race.