Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured

69 degrees this morning!  So great!

I was on my own and it was supposed to be a nice easy run.   I started out and did just under 4 right on target.   Grabbed a drink at my house and headed back out.   The next two miles were progressively picking up the pace but nothing serious.   Then a guy crossed the street ahead of me and was running at a pretty good pace.... I cannot hold back, so I pass him but then have to maintain my pace because I am on a mile long straightaway and I have know idea how far back he is.   I turned the corer, ran another mile and then turned another corner.  At this point I had .5 until I turned to go home and there was a girl at the top of the hill.... Again, I decide to pass her (this one was easier) and then turned to run the .3 up hill and home.   

A pretty good run with some tempo paced miles....I might regret those tomorrow.

Avg Pace 8:33

The plan was to meet the group and run 800's today but we had rain this morning, so we canceled.  This meant I ended up at the Y on the treadmill.   I warmed up for 2 miles and then did 6x800 Yasso style.   I had my recovery minutes slow and used the recovery pace given by the McMillan Calculator as my guide.   My goal was to run relaxed and I for the most part accomplished.  Numbers 4 & 6 were tense for no real reason.   I then cooled down for 2 miles and headed home.  

We are only going to be 78 here today...It is winter.  Nothing like a 20-25 degree temp swing.

Avg Pace 8:15

Six easy miles with Jenny - the best of the week.

6 miles with Annette and a pretty good pace.

I had a church commitment for most the day and then had to take my two younger girls shopping for school supplies - probably in my top 5 worst things to do as a parent.  It was horrible, traffic was horrible and my girls are going to school without Manila paper.  This will be a bigger deal than it should be.  Most the day was on my feet, despite my best effort to sit as much as possible.   

After spending a few hours resting and trying take it easy, I headed out at 8:30.  It was hot - mid 80's humid and windy.  I broke the run into 3 sections, each passing back by my house for water and gu.  The first was 6 miles (aiming for 7, but my need for the bathroom prevented that from happening) and mostly flat.  I felt pretty good that this point and my pace was picking up earlier than I wanted.   The second was 7 miles and hilly.  I was either running up or down and I felt pretty good until 11.75 when I had to turn around and run in the headwind.  This section had a good up hill, some down hill and then the steep uphill to my house.  This last mile was tough, very tough.  Got home and the legs were fatigued, gu'd and headed back out for the last 4.   These were flat and I was tired and mentally done.  I was hanging on by a thread and barely holding it together.   I decided when I hit 16 I was going to walk the mile home.  I took 10-15 steps and then made myself walk back to where the 1 mile mark was and run home.  

Avg Pace 8:41

I got home and laid on the floor for a while trying not to throw up and cool off.   Lesson learned....hopefully!   I was going to do my long run in Omaha on Thursday, but I have developed this fear - sometimes when I travel, sometimes at home about running outside alone.   It comes and goes, but I have got to get over it.   Home should never be an issue, I live in a very safe area that is well lit and traveled.   On the road it is somewhat understandable, but I usually enjoy running in Omaha and the hotel had a gym. 

I am starting to panic about my training and running a marathon.   Every time I get into a pretty decent training cycle, all heck breaks loose.   This time they have added quite a bit to my plate at work and I found out Friday I am heading back to India in the next couple of weeks - horrible timing.   I have traveled to India in marathon cycles before but never this close to the date.   The kids are heading back to school and we have volleyball and baseball every weekend and I feel so selfish taking chunks out of Saturdays to run and miss there activities.   I am starting to wondering if maybe this isn't my season for marathon's and to change my goals.