Back in the saddle?

Soooo, I've been trying to follow Sasha's recommendation of running 5 miles per day at a nice easy pace of 10:00 per mile for the last 3 weeks or so (granted, one week I only ran 4 days).  So, this evening I started my run, nice and easy, thinking I'd better pick it up because I was going way too slow.  So, imagine my surprise when I look down at Mr. Garmin, who says I'm running 9:30!  I keep running, keep running, and still 9:10 to 9:40.  So, I decide to do 5.6 instead of my normal 5.  I swear, for most of the run, it felt too easy!!  My splits were: 9:36, 9:45, 10:02, 10:00, 9:55, 8:53 (.6 mile), for an average pace of 9:45.  Total time was 54:38.

I think I mentioned last week that it was starting to feel not quite so easy to maintain 10:00.  Improving by 15 seconds per mile to the point where it feels easy is very encouraging!  I'm very excited to see what my body will be able to do after a month of running 30 miles per week consistently!  I'm getting up at 4:45 again tomorrow to do an easy run with my friends.  Let's hope that tonight's run has become the rule, rather than the exception!

Congrats  to EVERYONE who ran St. George over the weekend.  You all inspire me to run my heart out and set challenging goals for my running!

Today was an early, easy run in the dark with two friends.  I ran with them last week, but today we ran faster, about a 10:30 pace, down from 11:00.  One of my friends, the one who is new to running, is improving.  She was able to pick up the pace from last week and didn't stop to walk at all!  The blog is the next step! 

I am in a world of hurt with these blisters.  I have one on the outside of my big toe, where my shoe rubs.  My toe is slightly callused there, and I'm afraid it's going to turn into a bunion.  It doesn't hurt while I run, but it kills in my pointy work shoes (which are actually pretty comfortable)!  I'm afraid that my shoes might be the culprit, but I just bought them!  Luckily, they don't bother me much during the actual running!

Tonight's run was a testament as to how a run can just make your troubles go away.  I was very stressed out at work today, to the point where I was crying (breaking the #1 work rule!), and I just wanted to come home and cry some more.  But I made myself go out for a run, and I'm so glad I did!  I forgot all about my stressful day and thought about how much I like the blog instead!

I finished in 49:35, and my splits were: 9:56, 10:09, 10:06, 9:59, and 9:26.  Average heart rate was 158, however, it steadily crept upward.  It's a mystery....

I got a chiropractic adjustment and massage today.  It felt great, but MAN!  I have some tension or something in my shoulders!  My chiropractor is funny-he makes fun of my job and my running.

Today was 5 miles on the treadmill.  I got home at 6:00 and didn't want to do the whole run in the dark.  And I REALLY wanted my iPod, so I went to the gym.  I don't know if I would characterize the middle 3 miles as marathon race pace, because I don't know my goal marathon race pace right now.  But my splits were: 10:00, 8:57, 8:57, 8:57, 10:00, all at 1.0 incline, which is the same as running on level ground outside.  The middle 3 miles felt harder than a 9:00 felt to me just 6 weeks ago, but I didn't feel any more tired than normal at the end of the run.  It was fun to change it up a bit. 

Off to Grey's Anatomy!

I ran by myself this morning.  My group is running tomorrow instead, so I was on my own, just me, Mr. Garmin, and iPod.  I made it to the turnaround point (6 miles) in 59:57.  I think I even got the runner's high on the way.  :-)  Haven't felt that in a long time!  Soooo, I turned around, planning to pick it up a bit.  I was cruising along at about 9:45, stopped for Gatorade, and saw two men pass me.  They looked pretty hardcore, with their fuel belts and all.  I started running again and found myself right with them, doing 9:15-9:30, and I decided to keep up the pace with them.  Then, one of the guys and I almost got hit by a car (not as bad as it sounds).  I found out he was doing 10, and it would be his farthest run ever!  He's training for PF Chang's in January.  So, appearances aren't everything!

When I hit 9 miles, I decided to really pick it up, and I just kept it going, faster and faster.  Turns out, I ran the second half over 4 minutes faster than the first half!!  Yeah!  My splits were: 10:00, 10:10, 10:07, 10:00, 9:48, 9:52, 9:39, 9:29, 9:37, 9:16, 9:11, 8:43.  I feel really good now. 

When I looked in the mirror, I had 2 bugs stuck to my face-ew!  I ran through a couple of swarms of bugs, closed my mouth, and held my breath!  Luckily I didn't swallow any bugs-I have done that before!

I'm feeling a lot stronger.  The question now is: do I (a) start increasing my weekday mileage next week, (2) increase the pace slightly, (3) do both, or (4) keep doing what I'm doing?  I have a half marathon coming up on November 11.  One caveat: next weekend I will be in Flagstaff, at high altitude.  I'm not sure I will be able to complete over 10 miles at that altitude.  Any advice regarding the next step in my training would be appreciated.