Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

I am in Amarillo for work, so it is welcome to the land of flat, dusty, windy and smelly.   We had a late evening last night, so I was unsure on how I would feel this morning but popped right up ready to go......until I realized that I had left my socks at home.  At that point the debate began regarding the following options:

 1.  not run

 2.  run with out socks - knowing 3 miles would be it and I would have blisters

3.  trying running with my panty hose under my shorts and see how it goes.  

I opted for choice three and was really glad they were nude colored and it was dark outside.   Once I got outside, I was shocked by how "cold" it was  - low 60's, windy and NO humidity.. makes a big difference.   I ran out and back and found the only two hills in this place, but they were good size.   Nice easy run with a MP mile at the end.   A good way to start the week, minus the three flights today - back to Dallas, to OKC and back home.

Avg Pace 8:35

I hate Yasso 800's.  They are the workout that makes me cry everytime.   I traveled all day yesterday and didn't get home until after midnight last night.   I attempted getting up to run this morning, got dressed and headed out the door and up the hill for about .1 mile and felt like I was going to throw up ( common for me when I reach the complete exhaustion stage).  There was no way I could do a hard work out this morning, so I turned around and went back to bed.    

I headed to the Y after work and ended up doing the work out on the treadmill.  Pro: I hit the right pace every time and yes, it sucked.   Con:  I am afraid I am going to fall off the treadmill running at such a fast pace.   The first two where horrible - this workout for me mentally is just a nightmare and I have no idea why.   The third, I started making up my own trash talk to the song on my ipod and it actually helped.   The forth was okay but I really just wanted to be done.   To think I have to build up to 10 in the next 6 months - agh!  I then did 1 mile of 1 min @ 5K pace and 1 min @ MP and cooled down for .5 mile.   

So, so glad it is done.   I am worried that I have done 3 speed workouts in the last 2 weeks on the treadmill and that it is not as tough as outside.  I always set the incline to 1% but this is the first workout I felt was really hard.   

Avg pace 8:10

Yoga afterwards - sweet!

Annette and I did our long run today due to a scheduling conflict this weekend.   I started out feeling pretty good, but by 2-3 miles, my legs felt so completely fatigued.  This continued until about mile 11 and for some reason at this point they started to feel pretty good.   I had a client dinner last night and tried to avoid dessert but was not successful.   We ate at the Capital Grille in FW and they have a Coconut Cream Pie that is one of the best things I have eaten in a really long time, it was fabulous!  Unfortunately, all the cream did not do anything good for running, just causing the need for three longer than necessary bathroom stops.  My garmin died at mile 10, so I ran the rest by feel.  Interestingly, this is when I started to feel really good and pick up the pace.   Glad to have it done early for the week, but I don't know how many days I can get away with showing up for work at 9:15.   

We had an electrical storm this morning, so we were forced to go to the Y.   7 easy boring miles on the treadmill... they dragged on forever.

In very sad news, we received word that a friend of ours was killed in a cycling accident in Alabama yesterday.   Very, very sad, leaving a young family....

I met Tim, Ashley and Wendy at the store for a longish run, they were all doing 16 but since I had already done mine, I opted for 12.    We headed out along the river trail and the first 6 miles flew by as we chatted.  They are all running SG this year and I am so, so sad I opted for Marine Corps.  If I could be sure I would be recovered, I would see if I can get in, but it is too close.   When we hit the 6 mile mark I turned around and had planned on 4 MP miles with a 2 mile cool down.   I always have a hard time getting the pace down, but once I do, I am fine.  I had a quick water stop just past mile 3 - you must stop when it is 80 degrees and 80% humidity and there are only a few fountains along the trail.  I went to cool down and ended up with 5 MP miles and 1 cool down mile.   Pretty good way to start a Saturday.  Splits for MP:  8:06, 7:53, 7:34, 7:41,7:58.   

Avg Pace 8:24 

Now of to bake in the sun at baseball.