Dr. Pepper is the Devil

Do you have a go to stress headache weakness??  Mine is Dr. Pepper! I don't buy it because I will drink it.  This week the hubs came home with a 12pk, thanks honey!

Over the course of the last 2 weeks, I've been struggling with a sinus cold and headaches. So a Dr. Pepper and some Ibuprofen have been my go-top drug this week! 

I guess your wondering if I got my 4 miles is today?  NOPE! But I did get 3 in...  It was hot and humid and around 9am.  Overall pace was under 11 and I have had a headache the rest of the day!  Say hello to my lil' friend...

Balance

I talk a lot about "life circumstances" on this blog because that is what happens to me every single day.  When you have (2) children, a busy working husband, a new career you are trying to learn/grow, it's all about finding your BALANCE!

 

Yesterday I made an attempt to walk/run the 4 miles that was on my training schedule.  I had a battle with my mental and I ended up walking a mile and coming home.  Lil' Brother starts preschool next week and I HATE asking for help or finding someone to keep him, therefore I missed a Sales Meeting and that really ate at my conscience!  So I came home and worked as much as I could.

 

With that, I knew I needed to get that 4 miles in and since Mr. Man didn't get home until 8pm last night, this morning was my only option.  The alarm was set for 5:30am and I made it out the door by 5:40am.  It was a great run but that awful humidity finally decided to show it's face!

 

Lately I have taking it slow, but this morning I surprised myself with an overall pace of 10:12min/mile and my last 2 miles were an equal 9:58 pace.  That motivates me!!!  Remember that goal of a PR at this Half in October??  I haven't been too positive about making that goal and I still may not, but throwing runs like I did this morning lets me know that I still can do it! 

This is a prime example of why it's important to get those short runs in...all of them!

Lucky No. 7

Saturday's run called for 7 miles and I was bound and determined to get it done.  It's funny how life happens and whether you like it not, my prayers to get my 7 miles in were definitely answered.

 

  The night before was suppose to be a date night with the hubs.  We were suppose to stay in the big city of Nashville and eat at one of the finest restaurants down town.  Well that didn't happen, despite the fact that we were downtown and ready to go and I promised my self only a few drinks!  Well when your company of 15 years doesn't book your room for some odd reason, with 2 phone calls confirming our plans to go... you end up turning around and going home. Lucky for me, I had a good nights rest for that 7 miler the next morning!

 

It was a good run.  I did have that "OMG, I have to do 7 more of these in less than 2 months..." panic attack, but I guess that gives you the motivation at this point. I also read a post recently about your runs telling on you...In other words, is your diet correct?  Um, NO!  I was in the bathroom on and off all day Saturday.  Your diet is so important, but the place I'm at mentally, I could almost say my give a damn is busted! 

I know. Bad attitude. 

 

 

 

Runs With Toddler

Since Big Sis is in school and my life is so very hectic, I've had to really evaluate my options:

Wake up at 5:30am

Buy a Dreadmill

Run/Walk with Toddler... in an umbrella stroller!

I opted for the latter.

It was very interesting and hard and easy?!?  

I created a run/walk program on my Garmin 10 because I knew I would not be able to run the entire 3 miles.  I kinda enjoyed it and Lil' Man did too! 

 

My overall pace was around a 13min/mile and I enjoyed it being slow.  However, I can't stand not running with my arms, so most of the time I pushed the stroller one handed!  I bet that was a sight...

When you are down to the grind, you get creative and you get the job done!

Swallow Your Pride!

My mileage is starting to bump up and this week I had to make a decision: slow down or walk/run.   I am not very fast to begin with, but I was having a hard time finishing 3 miles with out being completely exhausted!

I started out for 4 miles Thursday evening and it was a great night to run; low humidity and a light breeze.  I set my watch for a 4min/run, 2min/walk.  However while out I decided to just take it slow and easy.  It was hard to keep my pace down but I felt good and strong the majority of my run. 

4 miles:

Distance:	4.04 mi
Time:	45:49
Avg Pace:	11:21 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	115 ft

 Since I felt so much better slowing down, I decided that's just what I need to do!  So today my schedule called for 6 miles.  Humidity was high, I had one too many Margaritas last night and I was tired!!  My friend was shocked that I actually got my run in this morning, but honestly I was too!  I took Ibuprofen around 3am during the musical beds that happens nightly in our home, eagerly drank my SPARK (Advocare plug!) this morning and overall had a decent run, slow and steady wins finishes the race!! My pace was all over the place, so I know I have to get a better handle on that....

6 miles:

Distance:	6.13 mi
Time:	1:08:44
Avg Pace:	11:13 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	153 ft

"To Your Left..."

Back in the day when I was a cyclist completed some charity rides, I learned that cyclists have a secret language.  When riding along, you will hear someone behind you calling in the distance "TO YOUR LEFT!!!"  This basically means don't do anything crazy because I'm fixin' to pass yo a$$! 

If you think about it, it's really quite genius...

You have plenty of warning and you don't freak out when they come flying by!

Today, as I freaked out yelling "OOOOHHH GOOOOODDDD!" 

I wondered why runners didn't have this secret language?  As I played this out in my head, I remembered that the ghost runner who appeared behind actually tried to warn me, but because I was jamming to Dave, I didn't really hear her.  See runners are dumb like that.  We run with music blaring in our ears.  I heard something, so I turned and freakishly yelled and then mumbled 

"Sorry! I hate doing that to other runners..." as she flew on by me!

Just last week I came up upon some walkers in the wee morning hours.  Knowing they had not yet heard me coming, I tried to call out gently to give them warning and nearly sent one of them into cardiac arrest! Later it started pouring down rain and those (2) walkers drove by me in the car pointing and laughing at me as I shuffled back home... Not really!  Despite my scarring them, they were oh so kind to offer me a ride home.  

It's good to get to know those on your paths, you don't have to talk but smile and wave and know you are cheering for each other every time you pass them. Oh and warn them if you are running up behind them!

Today's run called for 3 miles and of course I hit snooze at 5:30am, so fortunately I had some free time this afternoon and took in a nice run through the city park.  But it was HUMID!!!

My overall pace was 10:41/min. mile and I got exactly 3 miles in.  I started getting really hot around mile 2 so I made myself slow down and really concentrate on breathing.  I'll have to remember how yuck it was to run in the middle of the day next time I want to hit snooze!

Just a Thought...

As I was driving into town today I saw a man running. Shirtless.

I thought "Wow how nice would that be?"  One thought leads to the next..."Men are so lucky."  Then the imagination set in: As I pictured myself running topless through town, the wind through my hair, the air on my...well I'll stop the imagining there! 

 

 Then the realization set in of what I would REALLY look like!

Have fun with that one....

My Enemy! (Therapy Session # 2)

You know when you have those days when you are 100% on it, you got this, you are right and track and then BOOM!  You lose it all, in the matter of minutes.  This how I've been working lately.  I am angry but apparently not angry enough to do anything about it.  You want to know what else sucks???  My running or lack thereof!  I just can't seem to get my long runs in, nor can I seem to drag my rump out of bed before 6am to get in done before the rest of the zoo wakes up.  I'm starting to stress a little.  I have a 10k that I signed up for in September and of course the half in October and I can't get a run in over 3 miles!  I'm starting to even wonder if I can run more than 3 miles. 

 

So I mentioned my enemy...  I guess we can talk about that for a minute! IT's FOOD!  Well Duh, I'm sure you figured that out.  Do you have an enemy?  I can't say mine is one thing more than the other, it's just food!  I use it to substitute boredom, stress, anger, boredom I already mentioned that.  I hate trying to eat right, however the pooch on my belly is laughing at me saying "You are an idiot!  You'll never out run me!"  I feel very defeated at the moment and I just can't seem to shake it.  I want to throw it all away, crawl in my bed and eat. chips. all day.  Yes I am human.  I know we all do this, but I'm pissed that I just can't stay on track, even though I know how!