Running Partner

Distance: 3 miles
Time 38:22

Evan rode his bike with me while I ran 2.5 miles this morning. It was a pretty good run. Not great. Not fast. But it is encouraging to know that I can run 2.5 miles without stopping at an average of 11:45/mile pace, even though I have been fairly inactive for several weeks.

Evan is a good little partner. Even though I tell him he can ride ahead of me and wait at the corners, he rides very slow and stays with me the entire time. He also held my vest when I got too hot. I should have known upper 50's temps weren't very cold. I was decked out for a snow storm complete with gloves! Not necessary.

Now I'm ready for the rest of my day. Soccer and basketball, laundry and lesson plans. I adore three day weekends.

This is random, but I also need to eat some fruit. Trying to up my fruit and veggie intake.

Veteran's Day

Got a great run done. I watched Covert Affairs and zoned out while clicking off the miles.

Day 1 - 2.75 miles

Moving

Distance: 2.75 miles
Time: 39 minutes

Running never seems to be any easier for me. That's okay. When I finish a run, I sure feel like I accomplished something.

My dear sweet husband signed me up for the local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. He and the boys will undoubtedly be out with me in the freezing cold to cheer me on as I slowly make my way through the 5K. I'm excited to have a race to look forward to. That seems to be one of my huge motivators.

Must go. Must work. Must grade papers. Must get report cards ready so I can actually REST on this three-day weekend.

Jealous

Distance: 2.75 miles

I am jealous tonight. The Two Cities Marathon is taking place in Fresno/Clovis tomorrow morning, and I won't be a part of it.

It's my own fault. I made the decision to not train. I decided not to register. And now I'm feeling wistful at the thought of not being there.

I might drive downtown tomorrow morning to watch some of the runners run by. That would be neat.

I also fit my own short little 2.25 mile run in today during the hour that we have to be at Evan's travel soccer game before the game even starts. I got back right in time to see all of the game.

Building up my stamina takes time and patience.

Two Miles...nice to see you

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 34 minutes

I did not go to sleep early last night. I know that 4:30 comes awfully fast, but I still chose to stay awake.

Sure enough, 4:30 rolled around much sooner than I would have liked. However, I did not hit snooze 18 times or turn off the alarm. I got up, ate my granola bar, checked Facebook, and got my butt on the treadmill.

After my 5 minute warm up, I cranked out two miles. Without stopping. Win!

It's a bit of a push going from one minute intervals to running for 24 minutes without stopping. It gave me a pretty big boost of confidence, though! I can do this!

I am exhausted, but getting the run done early is worth feeling good the rest of the day.

Still Got It

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 36:15

I must have been pretty tired this morning, because I hit snooze two times without realizing it. I opened my eyes at 4:55 and shot out of bed like a flash. I try to be on the treadmill by 5. Didn't quite make it this morning.

I ate my granola bar, checked Facebook, updated Day 2 of what I am thankful for (today it's the treadmill), and got to running. For some reason, I didn't feel like watching tv this morning. Instead I listened to my tunes. Weird. But a nice change.

I did two 9 minute-3/4 mile stretches with a 1/2 mile walk in between. It's rather hard going from nothing to running for 9 minutes, but I did it. I had to back up the pace to 5.0. I just couldn't hang at 6.0. No problem.

I am looking at the Half in February as my "getting back to running" half. I'd like to focus on speed for the Half in May. And speed is a relative term! Speed for me could be improving from a 12 minute mile to an 11 minute mile! But hey, it would be an improvement!

Must go get ready for the day. My principal is evaluating my teaching today. How is it that I've been teaching for 12 years, but this still makes me nervous?!

Plan

I dragged myself out of bed at 4:50 this morning to be on the elliptical by 5:10ish. Ugh, that is early.

However, I am finding exercise to be a really great way to start the day, regardless of how tired I am.

I did 30 minutes of elliptical and 10 minutes of arms, which I am feeling the results of this evening.

Last night I mapped out my training plan to get back in shape to begin the training for the 1/2 marathon on Feb. 5. Ha! I have to train so I can train!

It feels good to have a plan. It made me content to think about it today. I like that feeling.