Monday, April 30, 2012

4/30

I was hoping to fit another run in last week, but I had to perform in our ward dinner theater Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, plus all the end-of-semester grading on Saturday.  Craziness.

Started off really slow today because I was exhausted and I had terrible cramps.  Stopped at 3.5 for water; finished out the 5.  Didn't go faster than 8:34/mile, but I'd started so slow for so long (around 10/mile for the first mile) that my average pace was only 9/mile.  I'm seriously debating whether it's worth continuing to blog this until my knee gets better and I feel like I can push harder.  I feel like running is really taking a backseat right now...I'm trying not to run during the afternoons so that I can either spend that time with my children or doing other things that would otherwise take time from my children, so by the time I finally get around to running I am drained.  I need to just focus on maintaining and not worry about getting faster or farther, I think, because right now my family needs my time more than I need to be setting PRs.  (Like my little pep talk here?)

I did order new shoes tonight--I'm really hoping that helps.  My feet are starting to ache.  And I didn't wear my brace tonight because I was too tired to deal with it...we'll see how that plays out tomorrow.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

4/26

Took it slower today because my knee has been bothering me, even though I did yoga yesterday instead of running.

Stopped at 1.7 miles to put laundry in the dryer and at 3.6 miles to try to get Luke to go back to sleep (Jules and Isaac are at a playdate, so I decided to run this morning during Luke's morning nap, which is almost always a reliable 1.5 hours.  HAH!  Try 40 minutes when I wanted to run).

5 miles; 9:02/mile

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

the last week

Last week wasn't a great one for running; I was sick and the kids were sick, which meant there wasn't much spare time.  I ran 3 on Wednesday and 3 on Friday, and that was all I squeezed in before poor miserable Lukey would wake up inconsolable (speak of the devil!  10:36 pm and he just started crying--last night he was crying from 10-midnight and then up again at 6:30).  And as I mentioned, I was sick and a total wreck.  I spent a lot more time crying last week than running.

5 miles yesterday; stopped at 3 for water and then at 4 to get Luke--he sat on my bed while I ran the last mile. Average pace for that run was 8:41.

Another 5 today--SO exhausted.  Started running really late after a long day with sick kids (and I'm still coughing a lot, which seems to be exacerbated by running.  I really hope this goes away soon, since when I was coughing a ton last week it was pulling on the scar from my hernia surgery.  Not fun at all).  Stopped at 2 miles and at 3.6 miles for water and just trying to give myself a pep talk to keep going--my knee was aching and my back was aching on the opposite side--my legs felt like lead.  So, so, so tired!  8:50/avg pace today.

Monday, April 16, 2012

4/16

This is the first time in a long time that I feel like running failed me--I had a pretty dismal day and went out for an evening run hoping that it would clear my head.  The whole time I felt like I was running through this fog of fatigue and achiness (I think I'm coming down with something; I've taken naps 3 out of the last 4 days and I usually take a nap maybe once every other month).  My leg muscles started feeling heavy and knotted just a couple of miles in, and I usually NEVER get that.  Came home and everything was still just waiting for me and the endorphins didn't help a bit.  I'm going to take a shower, crawl into bed, and call it a day.

5.11 miles through the woods and over the hills (against wind)

Saturday, April 14, 2012

4/14

Early morning run today over the roads, bike trails, and through the woods.  Couldn't have been more beautiful, as evidenced by the flocks of runners even though it was still really early!  Cut it a little shorter than I would have otherwise since we have good friends visiting from out of state and I wanted to get home quickly.

4.71 miles (dang!  I just missed my 5 mark, probably because I didn't detour to the water fountain...)

Thursday, April 12, 2012

4/12

My run today felt much stronger--I always feel better the faster I go.  And I have finally figured out how to balance a book or magazine so I can read while I run rather than watching a movie/listening to music/staring at the wall.  Today I read the 2008 leadership broadcast booklet on strengthening home & family and I felt so inspired!!  I have truly missed reading the Ensign  & talks from General Conference while I run and I am so excited that I've finally worked it so I can balance a magazine.

Stopped at 4.1 for water then finished out the 5.

5 miles; 8:42/mile

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

4/10

I think I'm just getting lazy--I don't have anything to push for right now (and starting a run at 10 pm is not the best of ideas anyway).  Oh well.  At least I ran.

3.6 miles, then stopped to adjust my knee brace, went in to the computer to double-check how fast I needed to go to hit 8:27 pace, got side-tracked for fifteen minutes by the wiles of the internet, started running again and felt lousy (go figure since I had totally cooled down), stopped at 4 miles to go to bed, then realized I was being kind of lame and finished out the 5 miles.

5 miles, about 8:58/mile--started out really slow (10:00/mile--seems to go easier on my knee if I start that slow and gradually pick it up for the first mile and then run pretty steadily after that).  Last mile right around 8:30.

Monday, April 9, 2012

catching up

5 on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday, 4.5 on Saturday (really wonderful run with Neil through the woods, which made me realize I love running when I am outside and not stressing about my pace, as opposed to running inside on the treadmill listening for kids.  That run was everything that I love about running, and my runs lately have been miserable.  I have GOT to find a new running partner).

Another 5 today just under 9/mile.

Monday, April 2, 2012

4/2

I'm sure that there are days where I have felt less like running, but today was right up there.  On the bright side, Luke finally is on antibiotics, so maybe I will actually get to sleep tonight.

5 miles; 9:04/mile (I have discovered that it's much easier to make myself run when I feel horrible if I just go really slowly when I start out and gradually work up to a respectable speed.  My average pace isn't great, but...at least I ran.  I am so not happy with my level of fitness/endurance/whatnot right now...I keep telling myself that this too shall pass and at some point my knee will heal, Neil will be working less, the children will be on different (better, please, make them be better!!!) schedules and I will have time, energy, and strength to run the way I wish I was running).

Also...it probably would have helped if I'd eaten an actual meal today.