Just your average everyday run. I did try to go up a couple of steep, long hills just so that I felt like I did something special on two of my runs this week. It keeps me from getting too casual I think. There has been lots of family at my in-law's house this week so the childcare has been super-simple. My 12 and 10 year old nieces entertain my baby the whole time, my 4 1/2 year old nephew tolerates my 3 year old beating up on him with swords and my almost 2 year old runs around trying to get all of them to tell her how cute she is. My kids don't even know I'm gone. I could really live like this.
I ran out at my sister's today. The first couple of miles stunk, but then I hit my groove and felt awfully good until mile 9 or 10. I ran at an 8:15 average and it felt decent. I thought I might be sore for the day, but after walking around shopping I feel much better.
Lest you think I'm a "shopper." This was the first shopping trip post-baby that I've done. I'm desperate for more than one skirt to wear to church now that the baby weight is disappearing into 14 mile runs. It took me two hours but I found me one church outfit. My sister was even watching my kids so I don't have that excuse for being slowed down. Shopping is so darned hard. But I've got motivation. The husband comes home in about 26 days now. yipee.
I ran an easy five miles at 8:15 pace. I'm hoping the bad air disappears soon. I can really feel the gunk from the air in my lungs and throat right now. Gross. It's enough to make me want to take another trip out to Colorado until spring. Hopefully something will come along soon that will kick the pants out of the grotesqueness and bring back some gulpable air.
About 24 days until the husband comes home. And we're going to travel to a world of snowless sidewalks, pure air and red rock while he's here. I'm a little bit excited for it all.
I did the 4X1 mile workout again on the treadmill. After running outside yesterday my throat felt covered in grossness and I thought I might be found dead with x's across my eyes if I spent too much more time sucking in poisonous fumes. I went at a 6:49 pace again and I felt much more tired this time. I think its just all a part of trying to get back in shape.
I went to the gym after I put all of the kids to bed except the baby. I expected the baby to still be awake when I got back, but I was surprised to see my 3 year old sitting between his grandma and grandpa on the couch - the stinker. Actually, I feel kind of bad because he had a hard time falling asleep and then was scared when he couldn't find me. That's the sort of thing that makes it hard for this Mom to keep running with intensity. Its not always easy to find the balance between meeting my goals and making sure I'm not burdening others as I do it. I'll just have to stay aware I guess...onward and upward.
I ran 4 nice, easy miles out at my sister's. The air always seems cleaner where she lives so I took lots of deep, happy breaths. The temperature was pretty high too, to the point that it was raining instead of snowing. It felt like a reprieve sort of run. I also ran without my garmin because I forgot it. Its amazing how much lighter I feel without that thing on - I was floating like a butterfly. When I got back to my sister's house my baby was asleep, my kids were playing happily with toys and she had dinner ready for me. Basically it was my dream running day.
Just 4 miles again today. I've had a lot going on in the last couple of days where I've needed help with watching the kids so I didn't want to ask for even more babysitting help to run. Luckily my very nice sister-in-law saw my struggle and helped me out today - although it was still a squeeze to get in even 4 miles. It was an easy run that felt good on the legs - I guess your legs are bound to feel good if you're not using them that much (: I'm hoping to get a long run in tomorrow, but I'm not sure how I'll swing it. We'll see how it goes.
Fifteen miles at 8:09. After the first few miles I worked into a good, relaxed feel. I was a little tight in my right calf - never had that before - but it went away. I love it when things just go away. Even the end of the run didn't feel too stressful - other than getting a little impatient to relieve my babysitter and get back to my kids.
When I got back from my run I noticed I have a rash all over my arms, neck and face. Cold air? Poisoned air? Exhaustion? I don't think I've ever had a weird rash before - pretty gross. Hopefully I can just wish this away too.
Turns out I had strep and strep can bring along a hideous rash sometimes. The antibiotic killed the strep, but the rash seems to be alive and kicking. I got a prescription for steroids to clear it up, but you're not supposed to be nursing when you take them. So I'll spend the next couple of days trying to figure out if getting rid of this rash is worth putting my baby permanently on a bottle.
I haven't run the last couple of days because I suspected the bad air and the stress on my body from running were the culprits that gave me hives. But after so much time off I'm ready to try to disprove my theory.
When I dropped my kids off at my sister-in-law's house I left her with my 3, her 3, and 4 boys who had come to play with her boys - that makes 10 kids. And it was just her - at dinner time. She's a saint.
The run felt great. Four was too short yesterday - it felt good to move myself further.
It was a morning run after an evening run yesterday so I was still feeling a little tired, but not so tired that I wasn't completely contented to be running. Three cheers for running.
My parents came for a quick weekend visit to let me get two nights of sleep in a row. My Mom woke up with the kids last night. I felt a little guilty going on a 12 mile run when they came all the way from Colorado to give me a rest. I'm pretty sure they think my running is part of what is running my body down - but they've always been good sports about letting me make my own choices. I really appreciate that.
I ran up the canyon for the first time in a long time. It made me anxious for spring. Speaking of anxious - my husband should be here in less than 2 weeks. Too exciting.
5 very slow miles. All of me felt pretty worn out today. I went to bed last night feeling overwhelmed at all I had to do today and then woke up still feeling like it all was too much. I haven't really felt that way so thoroughly since the husband has been gone. I didn't get to run until about 4pm. The first three miles had me thinking that this would have to be a very low mileage week. Then the endorphins must have finally kicked in because the last two miles my attitude started going up. Ever since the run life has felt much more doable. I guess sometimes I just need some good exercise to work out the negativity. Thank goodness for running.
This was a sunshiny gorgeous day. I didn't get out until the afternoon and I think that was a good thing for me. The snow from the beginning of December was actually melting and the smell of grass drinking enough water that it was turning green at the tips was stronger than the smell of the inversion. I still felt pretty tired, but good enough to turn a 7 mile run into an 8 mile run.
An easy four miles while my sister-in-law spoiled my kids. I have the sweetest sisters and sister-in-laws with the funnest toys at their houses and endless food for my two year old hollow-legged child to request. I think this week is going to be an easy, low-mileage week afterall. There isn't much chance of me running any races between now and the middle of June so I'm trying to relax my expectations for myself and just enjoy the feeling of running - I do it for enjoyment after all, not because I'm a speed demon headed for glory. That's something to remember.
Four miles on my sister's new used treadmill that she and her husband picked up for 100 bucks. I stayed over at her house last night and got on the treadmill after all the kids were asleep. I'm almost tempted to get a cheapy myself for the convenience - but, oh, a treadmill. Running on a treadmill gives a girl absolutely no Vit. D pick-me-up. I don't know...we'll see.
A nice easy run with some good Vit. D gathering. Things are looking pretty good for my husband getting here by Monday or Tuesday. I can't believe its really going to happen. That's one of the things that occupied my brain for the 6 miles. I like it when my brain is well occupied on a run.
8:22 pace. Next week I'm going back to working hard. I just got a call from my husband. He'll be landing in the U.S. 8am on Mon. Then he'll see what flight he can jump on to get to our airport. I'll have no stress child-watch for two weeks - in fact I think my child-watcher has been waiting anxiously for 5 1/2 months for the job.
My goal is to move up my mileage to 40 a week with two speed/strength work-outs and to find a teenager from church to use as a babysitter to take some of the burden off of family.
I had trouble with my watch. I was always so relieved to get to the top that I'd forget to hit the lap button. Oh well - I'll try to keep my head about me next time. I felt like I was working hard, but will probably do 8 X 400 next time.
8:20 I think or somewhere about there. I ran up around BYU and it was fantastic. My husband brought home his ipod or whatever it is and so I listened to music the whole run. It was Rascal Flats for those of you who are wondering. We've been sent to lots of smaller towns to live in in the last 5 years of our marriage so I'm a bit of a country fan these days. I'm trying not to be too embarrassed about it (: Anyhow my legs felt great and I'm hoping for an 18 mile run this next weekend.