Sunday Run Fun!

Even though our calendar firmly stated that today was a 9 mile run day, hubby and I trashed the plan for the day and instead headed out to do a 15 mile trail run with some friends.  And I'm so glad we did!  We ran at the lakes - somewhere that I usually avoid because it's tight single track with a lot of foliage in the summer as well as being one of the hillier places around to run.  I like to run where I know what's coming around the next bend and this was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  But that's a good thing.  We all need a shake up sometimes.  Our group was 11 strong at the beginning, and along the way we dropped down to 6 by the end....and I loved that everyone in our group was okay with that.  No expectations, no judgement, just a bunch of friends thankful for whatever time or miles anyone could spare on a chilly February morning. 

I had been fighting some pretty severe nausea this morning, but headed out anyway because usually running helps that.  It did, but the hills really took a toll on me.  I was a lot slower than normal and had to walk a lot of the hills toward the end.  I felt strong for completing the run, but felt a bit weak that I had to go so slow a lot of the time.  I was so grateful for friends and fellow runners who get that.  I will be so thankful to find the root of this nausea, and am only hoping that it will be a quick fix and I'll be back to myself.  It's been a long five weeks fighting it every day. 

Heading home, I just felt so good!  Sore, of course I was a bit sore, but I just felt so alive.  I love that part of running.  You just feel exhilarated like you could take on anything.  It sounds so cliched but it really is true.  Those endorphins pack a powerful punch.  Even tonight, after doing some foam rolling and taking it easy, I am still feeling good in accomplishing those miles.  Running gives me peace in my crazy life, and right now, it gives me the best relief from my illness so I'll run every chance I get. 

So, whenever you've got a chance to trash the plan and take a chance on doing something a bit out of your comfort zone - grab it and do it.  You never know...

It's Cold Out There!

Well, today was a scheduled 4 mile run on my training plan and I was determined to keep to the plan.  But 21 degrees?  Really, that's a little chilly.  So my husband suggested I could use the treadmill...and I suppose I could have but where's the fun in that?  I checked out the weather channel, debated whether or not 4 degrees of warmth was worth waiting a few hours for, determined it wasn't and went off to get dressed.  I upgraded to my fleece hat, not my wool knit one that is my usual garb and actually layered under my UA coldweather shirt.  The dogs noticed my shoes and starting begging to go.  I took Junie, the "littler" lab, because I didn't feel like being yanked around on the ice by Cally, our bigger lab.  So, Junie and I set off and that first blast of wind about sent me back inside!  I think even Junie was wondering why she had wanted to head out instead of staying in her usual spot on the kitchen rug hogging the heat from the vent.  But we pressed on...

The first two miles were okay.  Chilly but not unbearable.  I even got some creepy catcalls from some old men outside smoking their cigarettes.  That was good for a laugh.  I'm not sure in my bundled from head to toe mismatching outfit I was worthy of a catcall, but I guess it was some excitement in their morning. 

But then, after about 3 miles, we hit the coldest, darkest spot of the entire run and I swear we picked up the pace by about a minute to get out from under that cloud and away from the howling wind.  Back in the sun I actually felt warm and the last mile was pretty easy and comfortable.  Junie even enjoyed it I think!

As is usually the case, I'm glad I pushed myself out there and did it.  The feeling of accomplishment you get from making a plan and keeping to the plan even when it would be easier not to is the best in the world!!

Went for a run....

Going for a run is my sanctuary, a place to just "be" and lose myself.  But not when that run involves a treadmill.  Or, as I like to think of it, the dreadmill.  How can one piece of equipment make something I love into a chore?  I think it's the constant stream of stats flowing across the screen.  .1 miles complete, .2 miles complete, etc, etc.  No looking around and getting lost in the scenery or people watching here.  Just numbers and a little flashing dot moving around an oval.  I've covered it up with a towel, trying to fool myself into focusing on some blank spot on the wall and I've tried to use the numbers to convince myself to keep running.  "come on," the voice in my head says, "one more quarter mile to go!"  but in the end, I can't wait to wrap up the run and be done with it.  But, no matter how horribly slow the miles and time seem to pass on the treadmill, one thing helps...the feeling I get when I'm done is just as good as if I'd been outside running in perfect mid-30's sunny weather.  I still feel great - like I could conquer the world.  I only wish I could feel that way BEFORE I ran so it would be that much more enjoyable.  But then I guess it wouldn't feel like a reward then.  First you have to push through all the crap to get to the good stuff!

So, no matter how or where, I'm glad to say, "I went for a run!"