I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

With the ice and snow on the roads I figured it would be better to run on the TM this morning, plus then I could sleep in :) Got a phone call just as I was leaving at 9 and had to deal with it, so I didn't get to the gym until 9:45 which made me miss all my normal TM running pals...so it was back to my music. I spent the first 15 min on the elliptical to get the body moving - I find this helps me start at a faster pace on the TM. Then about 20 min into running, my friend Amy came (her kids are off track too and we both adore sleeping in!). So, I got to run while she walked and ran - again good things came to those who slept! :)

AP: 8:59 (just slipped in under 9 with a final push!). Started at 9:22mm and felt great, I think this chest congestion is finally moving on. One of my usual progressive runs ending with the last .1 at 6:58 pace. Good times and my head needed a good run as much as my body did today.

I had a neighbor call me out of the blue yesterday and say she wanted to start running again consistently in the morning and wondered if I would be willing to run with her. Knowing that I needed some motivation lately to just get out the door, I agreed. So, this morning at 6:15 I was out and running! She came to my house, so it was great to just walk right out, have company and get it done. Since she is just starting again she said she could only handle 3 miles and they were a tad slower (9:51 AP) but she did a GREAT job, and it was a nice warm-up for me. She only stopped to walk twice on the 'hill of despair' as we came home and for not running for a month I think that is pretty darn good!

After she left (little to no chatting, she had to get home to get kids to school and to work) I set off on a few extra miles. I did what  I thought would be a 4 mile loop, but I figured out 1/2 way through it was going to be short. So, I tried a new 'hill of death' going UP the cove - holy moly! I'm glad I did it (I've been afraid of it, so I conquered a fear), and I got in an extra 1/2 mile instead of being short, but it really took my AP down :)

Now I get to 'work' for the rest of the morning. When I came home, coming right in the house helped so I didn't get chilled cold, but I wanted to de-frost in a nice warm tub since I had time and children were sleeping. Well, I fell asleep! It was a nice warm and cozy nap, but then I had to have my kids entertain work while I finished getting ready and got my 3 year old off to school late. Oh well, I think I needed the sleep.

First 3 miles AP: 9:51 splits: 9:44, 9:27, 10:21

AP: 9:10 splits: 9:04, 9:40, 10:08 (the HILL!), 8:09, 8:33 (last .5)

Decided to go quality not quantity on the TM today and get some sleep :)

Elliptical warm-up 40 minutes @ L12; 4.1 miles.

TM 5.0 miles AP= 8:13; Started at 8:34 and went progressive until 7:47 for 4.25-4.75; then finished the last .2 @ 7:30mm. I haven't done a good, fast progressive run like this for a long time. I really struggled once the pace got under 8mm, so I know I need some more  speed work in my routine. I think Wednesdays will become speed work day on the TM, it keeps me honest on my pace. I have no idea how I once ran a 1/2 @ 7:35 pace...no idea!

I'm SO grateful for my neighbor that is getting me up to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays now! Its been great being able to get up and get it done - I forgot how much I love to run outside, even in the cold!

5K with her @ 9:48 pace, she was a little sore from Tuesday, but I have hopes of hitting 4 or 5 miles with her by March-ish.

Went out for another 4.5 loop on my own. AP: 9:05 splits: 8:49, 8:18, 9:25, 9:39, 9:16 (last .5); as you can tell, the uphill was the 2nd 1/2 of the run, I still struggle more with the uphill. Someday it will be seamless...someday!

Now I'm off to yoga -aahhh! My favorite part of the week.

Nice sleep in morning! 

20 min on the elliptical to warm up @ L12 =2.0 miles

10K on the TM at a nice easy pace. first 4.8 miles (12 songs on the ipod) @ 8:57, then increased to 8:34 until 5.2 then increased the speed as soon as I would get comfortable with it, about every .15 or so. Finished off @ 7:30 for .1 then 7:00 for .15 as a nice kick to finish it off.

8:49 AP for the run.

Anyone hitting the oval tomorrow AM?

"Get going. Get up and walk if you have to, but finish the damn race." - Ron Hill

Wasn't sure what to do this morning, but quickly made up my mind when I went to bed yesterday. I waited for Allie to send me my wake up text and then I got up and out the door to the oval. As I drove there, I was VERY grateful that I hadn't run outside, it was foggy - dangerous for a runner foggy which meant the air was crudd-ier than normal as well. So, the oval was perfect!

Got to watch Teena, Matt and Allie come flying down, then Allie swallowed her pride and ran with slow 'ol me for around 11 miles until she had to head off for work. For a while there were even a few kids (maybe 10 years old?) that would push to pass us on the front straight away, then I would have to push to take  back the lead around the corner. This went on for a few laps, then I told them the old lady was tired of having to try and run faster than they were, so would they please slow down and give me my pride. Well, it didn't work. My only only consolation was that they probably ran maybe 2 miles...so I beat them in the long run!

I had a great time and I love that SO many distance runners go there on Saturday mornings to get their long runs in. besides the ones mentioned above, I got to see Peggy and Mike from running group as well as John and another guy from group (sorry, can't remember his name right now), Calvin from my Ragnar team, Pat and his friend, and John 'Rossy' from the blog as well. It's great being able to go somewhere knowing that you will probably find someone you know and that you can run with.

I felt like a rock-star today, because I was running with the celebrity. All the fast people knew Allie and would say hello...yeah, I'm with the amazing runner...I'm cool! :)

After Allie left I caught Pat and his friend (didn't catch his name) and finished the last about 10-12 laps with them. Had a great time and I'm glad I got up and out. Looking at schedules now it's a good thing I didn't sleep in and go when I wanted to, because I probably would've been late to the Jr Jazz game I'm supposed to coach, and I have to look pretty today - it's pictures! :)

Thanks again Allie for an amazing run, the laps just flew by!

No idea on AP, but I'd put it 8:50-9:00mm - ish knowing the effort.

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
Jesse Owens