I finished November......

November ended on a low note.... today's run was hard. Most likely b/c i did the long run yesterday. And so, my easy base pace run of 4 miles was slow and it hurt.... running slow does hurt... I guess that is why they call it slogging!!

I completed November with the best totals of the year (so far..... let's see what december brings)

A total of 26 runs, accumulating 144.99 km (i couldn't run another .01?) and a yearly total over 832 km.... I still feel like I am running slow and at times it hurts to run..... my resistance training is not where it should be, and is not a regular schedule.... and I would like to resume jump roping and kettle bell work....

Tomorrow, december is upon us..... bringing the last 31 days of the year.... I would like to tackle the 1000 km barrier and expand my training for january as we move into 2011.....

hopefully, i will be able to clear this weight barrier that is driving me crazy!!!

And tomorrow, training continues in a new month.

Aborted Run Accomplished....

This morning, I tackled the long run........ the one I aborted yesterday.

This morning, I completed an entirely different route.

This morning, I stayed in the low grounds...... and left the hills for someone else.

I ran a consistent pace..... within 10 seconds of each kilometer..... i am pleased...... I pushed hard through the last 3km, when I wanted to quit.... when it really hurt to move, let alone run..... and then I froze on my recovery home. *cold outside, sweating, clothes wet, no one with a space blanket to greet me at the finish*

But the long run is finished..... 14.5km.... the longest I have traveled since the marathon.

Tomorrow, I am looking forward to the short run.... and easy 4 miles.

Aborting Training

This afternoon I headed out to run 14.5 km (about 9 miles). I was going to hit the mountain run and take it slow.... (whatever slow is.... seems my former fast is now my new slow tempo pace).

After a morning of pistol shooting, I headed out to run........ and 3 km into, my Left Hammie was reminding me of its presence..... and I stopped the run. I tried to run again after stretching and doing some dynamic exercises, but it didn't come together...... and so, I turned and went casually back down the mountain and planned to tackle it another day.

The question always is...... do i push when my body is saying something? is what my body saying something to be listened to or something that can be pushed through? and how do i know the difference?

I have been with my body for a long time..... and training for a long time as well.... so, I know the twitches and twangs and hiccups that happen... and what is something that can be pushed through and what needs to be held off for another day....

The discomfort I was feeling was a tightness..... something that could have loosened up.... something that when i revisited the run, did not.... so, the decision to abort was wise.... i will be foam rolling and tackling the long run tomorrow.

Not a perfect plan, but better than an injury.

Thankfulness

This week...... was Thanksgiving.

It is easy during the holidays to either get caught up in the drama and rush-rush of the spirit of the holiday and totally miss the point or withdraw.

I know.... because I have done both. While living in Atlanta, my family was far away and I spent a lot of time at friends houses and some alone on and during the holidays.... and it was tough. While the holidays from my childhood don't always have amazing memories for me, I had hoped my adult memories would be different.... and some were; some were not. And I experienced the rush-rush.... hum-hum of the season and got caught up in the excitement, without appreciating the real reason for the holidays..... This was when i worked in retail.

And now, at a different time in my life..... I am learning to truly appreciate what and who matters.

In that, I spent some of the day in reflection and thanksgiving for all that I have..... while my life and me are not perfect (far from it).... I have life.... and I am able to choose, and I have peeps who love me.

And for those I am thankful. I am also blessed to be able to train and run and swim and bike.... doing things that I love. And know that while the training is hard, I love doing it.....

What are you thankful for?

Running Up-Hill

After yesterday morning's speedy run, my programming sent me off to a hill run.......

I am supposed to run 1 mile warm up and 1 mile warm down.... but the hill is over 2k to get there (which is a little over a mile).

And upon arrival.... my tired legs were expected to run 4 x 2 min @ 3k pace (about 7 min/mile) with a 2 min recovery.

I did it! The last 2 minute run was not pretty; but I did it!!!

And now..... my quads are asking if I remember them.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! and a scheduled rest day.... b/c of the pandemonium of the day, I will probably go for a walk in the morning and enjoy the morning air....

..... and tackle some Burn Notice.... afterall, there is a marathon tomorrow........

Happy Thanksgiving!

She Runs..... FAST!

And this morning.......

I PR'ed my 10k training run!!!! By much, much, much time!!! It was almost like running a race, without any other runners....

Sometimes..... I amaze myself.......

And after the run.... my coconut water, and water, and off to the gym.... for med ball work, mini-bands and core work.... and home..... to eat some breakfast and enjoy some coffee.

REST......

..... is so important to training, and yet, rest is sometimes what is neglected.

Today, is my rest day on all fronts.... no resistance training, no running, cycling, swimming, or rowing.... just rest.

And so, I have done some studying, and some prep work and some relaxing.

After all, it is my rest day!