Lamb or Lion? March running...

[limewave]

GLC--so sorry to hear that! Hope your appt. goes well and that you have a quick and complete recovery.

I had an 11-miler on the books. But I haven't been keeping up on my running and my DS was sick all weekend. Friday I ended up having a high fever and feeling HORRIBLE. But I was determined to get in a long run on Sunday in-spite-of or, more accurately, because of all that (I can't afford to keep missing workouts!!!).

About 1 mile in I felt so horrible I wanted to walk home. But I pressed on.

1.5 miles in, my legs felt like lead. I was going to walk home.

But I pressed one. 2 miles in, no improvement. I wanted to quit.

I finally told myself to shut the heck up, stop thinking about how crappy my run was going, and just RUN. Run, darnit! Don't look at the Garmin. Don't listen to my leaden legs. Just run.

Managed to get in all 11 miles. Once I stopped freaking out about how slow my pace was, I was able to settle into a groove and had a good time.

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck, GLC...what a bummer to have that happen at such a bad time with all your athletic goals!

I am pleased to report that I set a PR this morning - my longest run ever at 5.1 miles. I had done a couple of five-milers before (two on the treadmill, one outdoors), so I made sure to tack on just a little today to make it my longest. And I haven't run five miles for two years!

The difference between this morning's run and my usual runs here was that a "cold" front came through, so this morning was overcast, breezy, and cool (for here) at 72 degrees. Normally it's closer to 79-80 with full sunshine, and I now realize that that made more of a difference than I realized. I struggle to run 3-4 miles on the hot, sunny days.

We won't have too many days like today, but it was nice. For the first time in ages, I actually felt like I could have run farther. And I felt like a RUNNER.

Sweet!

[katluvr]

GLC--BUMMER! Hope it doesn't keep you down long!

Emily--Whoo Hoo! And you have always been a runner!

Race Report (late)
So Sunday I did a 15k. As you all know my training has be less than optimal. But the Gasparilla Distance Classic is a race I do every year and the 15k is a unique distance. We splurged and stayed in the host hotel. (Race was in Tampa, over the bridge from St. Pete where we live). So nice to not have to get up super early to drive, then park. We just "walked" a few blocks to the race. It was a WARM day. Low 70's at the start and HUMID. This race is out and back along Bayshore Drive...it is how it sounds, along the bay. So there is NO shade. I started a bit fast. It is a HUGE race, so many people so you keep picking your way around folks so I am ALWAYS passing. It is so tempting to keep passing. I knew I was not going to hold but I just couldn't slow. It got hot quick. 80's, sunny, no shade. Half way mark I was on track for a GOOD PR. BY mile 6 I am slowing. I tried to alternate pace each mile. By mile 7 I am trying to not overheat. They had water misters but the wind was blowing the mist away from the road where we were racing...darn it. I did manage a PR 1:38:08. My best time before this was 1:39:XX (probable closer to 1:40). So although I was on track for a 1:36 at half way, I still hung on to PR. The pictures of me look like I am miserable and actually dying! Even though the warmth was a bit much I think I still run better in heat the freezing temperatures!

I was a bit sore (quads) after race. Went out for 4 miler today. Quads still tight and left hamstring or maybe it is more my perifomis (sp?) since it runs down my leg, too. I plan to foam roll a few times today.

Bought new shoes (minimalist) at expo....more to come on those!

K

[emily_in_nc]

I did manage a PR 1:38:08. My best time before this was 1:39:XX (probable closer to 1:40). So although I was on track for a 1:36 at half way, I still hung on to PR. The pictures of me look like I am miserable and actually dying! Even though the warmth was a bit much I think I still run better in heat the freezing temperatures!

Congratulations on your PR!

I probably run better in the heat than I would in *freezing* temps, but there's a LOT of ground in between that. I think 50s-60s are optimal for running for me, and here we have 70s-80s (and humid). It's hard on the body and slows me way down.

[OakLeaf]

Nice job kat and Emily!

I did 11 yesterday ... really sore from yoga, so I was pretty slow and felt heavy, but I got it done. Family stuff the next couple of days, I'm going to have to put my next long run off until the weekend. Just praying nothing goes wrong the way it ALWAYS does.

[skhill]

Good job, Emily and kat! There's a local 15k just added to the calendar, and a guaranteed PR at a new distance is tempting... Don't see many 15ks around here.

I wasn't sure if I'd be running outside or on the treadmill today, but then I took my dog out for her first pee of the morning. Despite wearing boots, she almost pulled me over when I hit some ice on the sidewalk. So the treadmill... 4 miles, at an 8:30 pace; 2 days off had me feeling turbocharged. I've never run that far at a pace under about 8:40 before. And tomorrow morning it may be warm enough to be running in shorts. That's spring in KY, I guess...

[emily_in_nc]

Tough run this morning! We had rain off and on for two days, turning the unpaved road into a muddy mess. Some of the puddles extended as ponds across the entire road. Normally I'd just run on the beach, but the tide was also extremely high this morning, and piles of sea grass washed in overnight, so in places where there is no seawall, there was very little beach, and what was there to run on was very soft sand you sink into.

Neither option -- road nor beach -- was good at all, but I gave them both the old college try. North on the road, going off-road around numerous ponds, then south on the beach, slogging through soft sand and seagrass. It was also hot (upper 70s) and mostly sunny again this morning, which made for more of a struggle than two days ago when we had the nice cold front and overcast skies.

This is a 4-mile route, but with all the twists and turns I had to take to get around obstacles, I am sure I did slightly over that. Just glad to finish today!