THOU SHALT BE A COMEBACK

8:36 average pace. Not much time today, I slept in late and have to work.  Mile 8 in 7:40 and .18 surge at 6:55.  Felt great.

7:55 average pace.  Windy cold front coming in today full force with 40mph gusts.  The headwind was unbelievable.  I looked around for a tornado but did not see one.  With the killer wind there was only one thing to do--run faster and fight the wind.  Gave it a pretty brisk effort--some miles I had a lot more headwind to fight than others.  My splits are all over the place, ranging from 7:24 to 9:10 and everything in between.  Good workout!

8:19 average pace.  Felt slow and sluggish after a day of clinicals and supper, but towards the end started to feel really good.  LAST clinical tomorrow and then I AM DONE WITH NURSING SCHOOL!

It is DOOOONE!!!  I have finished nursing school.  I'm not running or weighing, but eating some chocolate and hanging out with my family.  Everyone have a great day!

This really isn't much of a race report because I didn't race.  I woke up this morning to the alarm, and instead of feeling relief that school was over I felt the crushing weight of a year's worth of fatigue.  The weight of a year of 45-70 hour weeks in either an ambulance or in the hospital, of caring for a large family at the same time.  I told my husband I didn't feel like racing.  We decided I would go and just run it as a tempo run since I had already paid the money and not run all out.  Good thing, because I had no desire.  I warmed up 2.5 miles--it was 19 degrees I believe.  Cold and a little windy but not bad.  I cruised along and was surprised I got second.  If I had been in the mood first would have been a possibility, because she beat me by only 24 seconds.  Ran the mile with Nicholas in 11:47.  We had to walk a few times but for having no training whatsoever he did good.  Didn't stick around for the awards because we needed to go pick Vanessa up.  Came home and went on a 5.5. mile "recovery" run and got emotional and choked up.  It has been a long, hard year and it all caught up with me today.  Time for rest and recovery.  Time to spend more time reading my Bible and praying, and focusing on my husband and children.  No overtime at work, and no school.  No more racing until I have recouped for a while.  My soul, my mind, and my body all need some rest.  I wish everyone well for their races this weekend.

7:52 average pace.  Had a good Sunday, had a good weekend with the kids and my hubby.  Felt pretty refreshed this morning.  Today I feel the relief of being done with school--and today it feels good!  19 degrees with a little wind brrrrrr.  Ran one mile in 6:50 because I felt sorta fast for a minute.  Otherwise ran pretty brisk to stay warm.  Ran without taping my foot for the first time in about 5 months and it felt fine.  

8:58 average pace.  Nice and slow, the sleet and snow last night left a crunchy layer on the dirt roads this morning, so my whole run it sounded like I was running on corn flakes.  It's supposed to be single digit temps tomorrow with wind, so I guess I'd better enjoy the 20's today.

7:37 average pace.  Did another "fight the wind" run.  Warmed up a little into an aerobically brisk pace and just decided to maintain the effort.  Temp 10 degrees, -8 with wind chill factor.  wind 17mph with 30mph gusts.  The sun came out while I was running though and I was actually getting too warm in my fleece overshirt.  Good workout!

8:15 average pace.  Felt easy.  It is not as cold or windy today.  In fact, it is supposed to warm up even more this week, possibly to a high of 40 degrees.  Sweet!

7:58 average pace.  Felt really easy--that's good! So, in the spirit of just building a base and no-pressure racing here is what the winter/spring schedule looks like. New Year's Eve--beer run. I know, offensive to some. It is a 5k in which you have to stop every half mile and drink 6 ounces of beer before you continue. But...cash and/or new shoes for winners. I've gotta at least try because I could use both! Then, the brutally hilly Topeka to Auburn half marathon in mid-January--net uphill course, not a PR course but will make a flat half-marathon feel easy. February 14 I will be driving to Austin to pace my little sister through her first half-marathon running 9:30 miles. I am excited for her! Next up, March 10, an approximately 2 mile course involving 418 stairs at the new arena in Wichita--sounds tough! I would like to run a marathon and PR in April. Then, May 1, the warrior dash in Texas. 3.51 miles dressed as a warrior which involves 12 obstacles including leaping over fires, swimming under logs, crawling under barbed wire through mud, climbing rope walls, clambering up hay bales, and running in streams of water. Me and my sister will dress like Xena the warrior sisters and my 52 year old mother has suddenly decided that she will dress like Athena and do it too while she is still able-bodied. Go Mom!

So far nothing.  About 7pm last night I got really nauseated and then it all started coming out--both ends.  Miserable.  It was short, though, and by about 3am I finally fell asleep.  I feel okay this morning--not sick to my stomach anymore, but I am really drained and have no energy or appetite.  It is highly unlikely that I will run today.

9.47 with my husband on the bicycle towing Vanessa.  Actually a bit of a workout on the hills.  We enjoyed our time together.  I have a job interview at a local heart hospital tomorrow at 9am.

7:47 pace in the dark.  Off to a job interview, it is a busy day

8:38 average pace.  Took it easy and zoned out with music.  Was cold, but nice once my face quit stinging and went numb.  The interview went well today.  Looks like I will be starting a new job in January if I pass the NCLEX.

7:56 average pace.  Gave mile repeats a try today.  Warmed up 2.7 and then did the first repeat conservative at 10kish pace to get my body used to the idea of it.  My legs seem stiff and unresponsive today, not sure why.  Time for mile 1 was 6:48, then 4 minutes jogging recovery although I felt recovered after 1 and then 5k pace.  6:25 for this mile, now I am really noticing how stiff my legs are, particularly in the hips.  Try as I might I cannot seem to open my stride up and really get going.  Four minutes jogging recovery than mile 3 in 6:22.   Once again just cannot get my stride opened up but resort to working on fast turnover to hold speed.  Felt choppy, the problem is definitely in my hips.  They do not always feel like this so it just the thing today, but I am glad I did the workout anyway.  Cooled down then did one circuit of strength drills which I have neglected for a long time now.  Wow they were hard, I can see now that they really do make a difference and I need to do them!  Will work on stretching and strengthening the hips and hopefully next week my mile repeats are a bit faster.  Aerobically the 5k pace was tolerable but certainly not comfortable.

8:34 average pace. Took it easy and enjoyed the run. Temp 36 degrees which anymore just feels downright warm!

8:17 average pace.  First long run in several months.  Started out unmotivated and planning to go about 8.  Then the music started to make me feel good and I got into a groove and then the endorphins kicked in and I felt good so I kept going.   I feel awesome.

Met with a running group this morning--they were all super nice!  They were planning on a 15-miler today though and I only wanted to go about 8 so I ran with them for about 5 then turned back West and decked out the last 3 miles.  Average pace 8:44, splits ranged from 10:23 to 7:14--how's that for all over the place?  I think I will run with the group again--it was nice to not run solo.

12.81 bike riding date with my husband, mostly easy.  Worked on stretching out my hips and hamstrings afterward.  Now we are going to make fudge and peanut brittle and package it with tea and coffee for gift baskets for Christmas.  Fun!

8:20 average pace.  Felt pretty good once I ran off the weekend staleness.  

BRUTAL workout today.  7:42 overall average pace.  Haven't done speedwork in a long time but feel like spicing up the routine so plan was 6x1/2 mile at 5k pace with 2 minutes recovery jogging between.  1/2 miles measured per Garmin on the road.  2.67 mile warm up then got started.  Intervals were 3:15, 3:00, 3:09, 3:15, 3:13, 3:06.  Average 3:10.  According to Yasso this means I can run a 3:10 marathon right?;)    On the second one I didn't hear the watch beep so I accidentally kept running .16 more for a total of .66 in 4:01(6:05 pace).  First one was a little slow(warming up).  The fourth one my breakfast almost re-appeared.  I did not, I repeat, did NOT want to do the sixth one as I was spent but did it anyway and have that proud post-hard workout feeling.  Feels GOOD.  1.12 mile cool down.  One circuit of strength drills.

8:37 average pace.  Easy run--had to squeeze it in because I slept in and then had gift baskets to make and had to drop Vanessa off at my mom's before work.  Father winter is supposed to bring snow and ice and wind tonight--just in time for my 7a.m.  12-miler tomorrow with the group--the same group I ran with Saturday.  Should be fun braving the blizzard!

Nice and easy with the group this a.m.  Don't know the exact pace because my watch wasn't working right but estimate it was around 9:30-9:45 by the feel of it.  Enough to burn off some Christmas calories!  I met some other group members and they are all very nice and they are enthusiastic about their running.  I am going to try and run with them at least once a week.

7:59 pace in the winter wonderland.  Snowdrift hopping, tire track running, standing still while flailing into a mighty headwind uphill, than turning around and breathlessly flying down while pushed by the same mighty wind.  Wonderful Christmas hanging out with the family.  The kids ate chocolate and pancakes for breakfast.  Okay, not just the kids, I ate that for breakfast too--thus the quick morning run!  More miles to follow later this afternoon!

update:  5.09 more in the wintry dark easy at 8:31 pace.  Very peaceful.  It helps a little with the guilt of the dietary sins I have committed today--now I am off to commit some more.  My two year old just figured out how to use her brother's new marshmellow gun and one white projectile just sailed into the tree.  I have actually been eating a few of them off the floor.

8:11 average. Felt very tired and fatigued starting out.  Ran 3.7, decided to do a few at half-marathon effort, 7:02 and 7:09 and then gave up.  Felt super fatigued the last few miles, almost like I had hit the wall, 9:00 pace was difficult.  Wanted to lay down in the snow and take a nap.  Abandoned the run and came home.  Need some rest I think.

8:43 average pace.  Taking it easy this week and cutting mileage a bit, because I have been plagued by episodes of fatigue and weakness all weekend.  I ate well yesterday--lots of green tea, emergen-C, fruit, vegetables, wheat bread, and some red meat.  I am thinking I am low on a mineral or electrolyte or something.  Did the last .28 today at a pace that was fast yet relaxed, concentrating on opening my stride and staying smooth.  Ended up at 6:22 pace.  Hopefully this is 5k pace on Friday.

8:42 average pace.  Nice and easy in the dark at 6 am before going to mandatory training and then to work.  Didn't have any weakness episodes yesterday so it must have been my nutrition.  Still eating extra calories, mostly fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, and a little red meat every day.

8:27 average pace.  Got some new snow last night--so ran on a blanket of snow in the white fog.  It was overcast and misty white everywhere but quite still and not terribly cold.  I was toasty and sweating buckets by the end.  I actually had good traction on the snow and stayed out of the icy tire tracks.  My mysterious Golden Retriever friend made an appearance at mile 1 and accompanied me throughout my run.  He looks well fed so surely he belongs to someone, I just don't know who.  Anyways, he is always a welcome sight.

8:46 average pace.  Super easy with two fast 150 meter bursts, 5:24  and 5:36 pace--warning my body about running fast in the cold tomorrow.  I haven't done a 5k in a while so it will be a shock to my system.  A repeat sub-20 would be nice.  Oh how nice it would be.  Hopefully I am mentally there tomorrow so I can make it happen.