With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams...

Oh the dark, cold, early mornings are here again.

I had such trouble getting up this morning.  The kids still have school off  today, so I did get away with a couple of snooze button hits.

19^o outside- too cold for my liking.  Paces were 9:45 to start, 9:25 at the end.  I was going to shred this morning, but I'll have to do it tomorrow since I slept in today.

I didn't sleep well last night.  Tired is the flavor of the day today.

Paces: 9:59, 9:29, 9:30, 9:20(the last.6)

The news said it was 23^o but my outdoor thermostat said 19^o.  I guess it doesn't matter, because it was just cold.  It's supposed to be cold like this all week.  I realize it's warm compared to the 5^o weather others are out in, but I want to complain anyway.

I was trying to wear a gator mask when I ran, and it got wet from my breath, then it was difficult to breathe through the wet material.  I'd like some advice on wearing things to warm up the air that don't block my breathing....anyone?

Did the shred yesterday afternoon, and I'm not terribly sore today.  Woohoo!  I think I'll try and do it again today.  I've also got some pilates videos I need to break in.  Just something indoors.

Top 5 excuses for not running this morning:

1-legs very sore from the shred workout (I assume that's why, it's the only variable)

2- had to drive to seminary (I would have had to get up at 4 am to do my run)

3-wind chill in the low teens at 4 am

4-groin still a little sore

5-I didn't want to be the "perfectionist" I'd read about in the runner's world mag yesterday :0)

I did the shred again yesterday after work.  I thought it was getting easier, so I'm not sure why my legs are so sore.  I think I've been doing more of the "challenging" versions of the exercises and moving up from the "easier" side.  Mabye that's it.  I don't know. 

Is it a good idea to do a 7 mile interval run (3x1600 at an 830 pace) when my legs are sore like this?  If it's good to do, then I'll run after work.  If it's better to rest, I'll do it tomorrow.  What does the jury think?

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UPDATE:  Headed out just before 5 pm.  Weater was much nicer in the afternoon than the morning.  Started out comfortable.  Ran 3 miles at a slower pace.  Then tried a mile at the 8:30 tempo.  I overshot the time and ran too fast, but I was thrilled that nothing hurt.  In fact, the running seemed to help the sore muscles.  I did a 800 recovery then 2 miles at the 8:30 tempo.  I worked at keeping it as close as I could to 8:30.  I think I ended up running 8:45 half the time and 8:15 the other half, but it all worked out in the wash.  I had a 800 recovery at the end.  I ran the last .2 miles home because it had gotten dark and it was time to pick up the little pirate from school.

Paces were: 9:55, 9:22, 9:16, 7:59, 10:31 (.5 recovery, water:, took off one jacket layer), 8:37, 8:27, 9:28 (.5 cool down), 9:55 (.2 finish to home).

I think I had a mental block that an 8:30 would be too hard for me.  It had been a long time (3 weeks) since I'd run speed like that and I was happy to see that I could do it.

 Braces for the littlest pirate today.  I slept in again because I knew that I'd have the afternoon to run.  I was glad I waited because it was lovely warm outside at 3 pm (40^o).

Shorter run because my legs were really sore.  And the running didn't make it feel better, just felt like running on tired legs.  Which is good practice, but I didn't want to over-do anything because I've got 18 miles on Saturday.

Paces were: 9:39, 9:17, 9:24, 9:42.  I was making a concious effort to slow down the last mile.  Just trying something different since I'd done speed the day before.

It's a tri-fecta!  Our schools were on a 2 hour delay today, so no seminary!  I got to sleep in again for the 3rd day in a row.  I think it was my Dad's b-day gift to me on his birthday.  He loved sleeping in.

I got 20 minutes on the elliptical.  I want the tired & sore in my legs to heal up for the long run tomorrow.  I would have love to have done the shred video, but I didn't want to make more sore muscles. 

 I got to make my kids pancakes for breakfast and had dinner in the crockpot before going to work.  All kinds of things happen when I get enough sleep and have extra time in the morning.  I think all Fridays should be this way.

I guess there was snow forcast & that's why the delay was called last night.  But I'm telling you, it was 40^o outside at 7:30 this morning.  The warmest morning we've had all week.  And not a drop of snow (or even precip) where we live.  So it was all good.  I just wish I would have had the 40^o for tomorrow, because that's my 18 miler, and the high is supposed to 34 with a wind chill making it feel like the 20's. 

 At least it won't be 80 with 90% humidity, right?

My mileage estimate was a little off today, so I ended up running more than I'd planned.  It turned out okay, and I had a wonderful run with good company the whole time.

I did an out and back, then out again run.  Down to Sealey's house, back here, and back to Sealey's.  We thought it was just a little over 6 miles to her house, and that would give me the 18 with a little room at the end to cool down.  When we actually arrived at her house, our distance was 6.86.  So we were in for a longer run.  No big deal.  At her house, we stopped for a couple minutes, got water and pick up Sealey.  She ran her first 13.1 today.  It was fun to see her accomplish her first 1/2 marathon distance.  We woo-hooed as she hit the mark, and then she kept running to finish her distance.

We also stopped for a few minutes when we got back to my house.  Got water, a little gatorade, warmed up, and used to potty.  So we ran three 6.86 legs with a little stop off at each end mark.  The break gave us a chance to rest a little.  It was nice.

The sun was out all morning, and it made us feel warmer.  The winds actually dropped during the course of our run, so they weren't a problem.  Our starting temp was 29^o    with 6 mph winds and 34% humidity.  By the end it was a balmy 36^o  with 3 mph winds and 30% humidity.  I'm glad I didn't get up in the early hours to run.  Getting a good night's sleep is part of being ready for a good, long run. 

Starting time was 10:44 am.   Paces were 10:01, 9:59, 9:49, 9:48, 9:42, 9:56, 9:56, 10:06, 10:17, 10:24, 10:39, 10:29, 10:23, 10:22, 10:10, 10:07, 10:20, 10:01, 10:14, 10:15, 9:07(last .47) .  I intentionally tried picking up the pace there at the end.  My paces were slower than normal, but I was happy with the distance and the company.  I felt good when I'd finished the run, and still had energy.  No cramps, thanks to the great chicken tortilla soup!  I also made the white bean and ham soup from the January Runner's World magazine this week.  It is delicious.  I'd recommend it to anyone.  It's super easy to make.  The only change I made was adding twice the broth it called for. 

Now I'm enjoying the home made pretzels mini- me made while I was out paving the streets.  Sealey gave me a whole wheat croissant after the run.  I've never had anything that good for an after run treat.  Yummy times!