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.

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)

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...)

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

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.

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.

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.