I Probably Should Make My Blog Public again

Every time lately that I have gone running in the dark, I have scared the crap out of at least one person. Today it was four kids standing in a group looking at someone's phone. Probably junior high age. One of them looked up and saw me, then started running in the opposite direction. The rest also took off. Then they realized I was just a jogger and laughed at each other.

Today was xc sectionals. I went over to Decatur to watch. After the girls race, I ran 3 miles before the boys started. Then after the boys' race, I went out in the neighborhood around the course and ran 4 more. It was chilly.

Both teams had a tough time because of injury. No girls made it to state. The boys team won state last year, but their #2 runner is out and #4 has been struggling late in the season. They did not make it as a team. They had a runner take second and eleventh. The 11th place runner did not make it. Big bummer.

The first time I've run 6 days in a row in a loooong time. Yay for me.

It seemed really dark tonight. It was not terribly cold, but I probably could have worn pants. I picked the right shirt and was glad I wore a hat.

I forced myself to get to five on the treadmill. I don't know why running on the treadmill seems so much harder. I guess because it's so darn boring.

Another treadmill run. This one was a little more tolerable.

My phone lied to me this morning. I dressed for 37 degrees, and this was much more than I needed. Shorts and one long sleeved shirt would have been fine. After about 2 miles, I took off one heavy shirt. I was wearing two. It was still too much.

It was windy though, so much so that at one point where my 8 minute effort was translating into 9 minute pace, I decided to turn around and go the other way.

Yesterday I had a case of the Mondays.  Today I had a case of the Tuesdays, but I forced myself on Treadmill Death March anyway. 

Ran outside today.  Experienced the wardrobe malfunction that is customary for me when I run in the winter:  shirts too short and pants that do not sit at my waist, and thus always feel like they are falling down. 

I hate the fashion industry.  Do any women really fit in clothes made for women?  I am long-legged, long-torsoed and high-waisted.  "Tall" pants have a longer inseam, but a shorter rise.  This makes no sense to me.  Why would a tall person's waist be lower in relation to the crotch than a short person?  I'm sure this is done so that tall pants and regular pants use the same amount of fabric.

Anyway, I solved my problem by tucking my inside shirt into my underwear and hiking my pants up.  Sure it made my ankles cold, but it worked out okay.  I just have to remember that I shouldn't look in the mirror before I leave for winter running.

Back to the treadmill.  A TV would make treadmill time so much easier...

My right thigh was bothering me during this run, like one of those deep kinda pains.  Nothing probably, but it didn't disappear as I warmed up like most things tend to do.

Ran in the morning. Did some impromptu intervals. 3 miles warm up. Then 1 mile @ 7:40ish pace. Then a mile easy, then 1/2 mile fast with about 1/2 mile easy. The 1/2 miles fast were 3:50, 3:38, 3:36 and then, after 1/4 mile easy, a 3:40 or so 1/2 mile. I felt pretty good about the pace.

It was colder and windy. It took me a few miles before I agreed with my own decision to wear shorts.

Treadmill. Trying to avoid the curse of Monday.

Town just to the east of us was devastated by the tornado on Sunday. Lots of families we know have little left. Prayers needed!

Just squeezed in 2 when I got home at 9 so I could avoid another non running day.

I finally got smart and woke up at 4:45 to get in 5 miles.  5 miles is pushing it time-wise, especially if I am running easy.  This morning felt like I was pretty slow.  Sometimes I need runs like that.  I have been feeling annoyed by running the last week or so, but this run was a good one.

Second day in a row of running in the a.m. Can I make a habit of this? I'd kinda like to. We'll see. I ended up tossing and turning starting at about three, so when I looked at the clock and it was within 10 minutes of my alarm, I got out of bed. And the I was able to put in one more mile.

I wore shorts, and an old guy walking the other way told me it was cold outside in a disapproving tone. When I just laughed, he repeated "cold," even crabbier.

Either the cold front spurred me to be faster today or I'm actually faster lately, but I dropped under 8:30 pace after a warm up mile of 8:50 and just stayed there. It was much colder than yesterday, plus I was at my mom's, where it's usually 5 or so degrees colder. I chose my wardrobe wisely, though a cold wind cuts through pretty much anything. My face was a little cold, but at least it was sunny. AP was 8:25.

At this time of year, the wind just brings a promise of winter...

Happy Thanksgiving. I am now going to change my short term goal to reflect the turkey day convo that I had with Burt this morning via text.

4 treadmill miles. I survived by watching an episode of 30 Rock on my iPad. It was a little maddening because it took me 36 minutes to watch a 20 minute episode.

I ordered new shoes today, Saucony Virratas. They are lightweight, 0mm drop shoes, so I'm not sure about them, but they were a good price and I can return them. I guess I'll see what they feel like when they arrive. I also ordered two pairs of pants and a cold weather jacket. I have a feeling that I will return at least 2 of the items.

My stomach has been bothering me the last two days. I started this run with the desire to run 7, but with the ability to cut miles at a few points if my stomach didn't cooperate. Luckily it did.

I can't find my garmin, so I've been without it this week. I have a feeling I've been a little slower than normal, but today I did try to pick up the pace that last two miles.