Back in the saddle?

Tonight was 6 miles with my husband, which was fun.  We ran it in 59:47, average 9:58 pace.  The laps got messed up, so I don't really know my splits.  I don't wear the heart rate monitor on the run, but I measured at the end, and my heart rate was down to 130 within less than a minute.  We talked for the first 4+ miles, which was fun, and also a good measurement of fitness.  We were able to talk easily without huffing and puffing.  Good start to the week!

Tonight was a great run.  I ran without the iPod.  I consciously went faster.  My body knew it was going faster, but I didn't really feel more tired, if that makes sense.  I think I'll run at this pace a couple times a week, see if it affects my running on other days, and gradually pick up the pace until I'm running this pace all the time.  I changed my Garmin to give me my splits every half mile instead of every mile, and I liked it. 

Total time was 55:51, a 9:19 pace.  My mile splits were 9:26, 9:17, 9:20, 9:28, 9:23, and 8:55.  Yeah!

The rest of this week, and next week, are going to be challenging to keep the running going as I start big-time trial prep and....TRIAL.  I've been keeping up the running schedule, and it has really helped me stay focused at work, so the plan is to continue!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I ran on the treadmill at the gym tonight, because it was already dark by the time I left work.  On the plus side, I didn't have to wait for a treadmill.  Everyone is apparently out celebrating!  Total time was 58:18, a 9:40 pace.  The whole run felt very easy (great sign!).  I kept the same pace going for the last mile.  Usually I pick up the pace quite a bit for the last mile.  Tonight the last mile felt so easy, I felt like I was barely moving!  My heart rate was very low at the end, too.

Work has been stressful lately, but I've been making a point to keep up the running.  It is helping me deal with the stress tremendously.

I ran over 150 miles this month-well over my goal!

Yippee! I decided to add an extra mile in celebration of being relieved of major upcoming workload, and it felt great.  I got started a little earlier and didn't have to turn on my headlamp until 4.2 miles into the run, although I left the residential area for a more commercial area after about 3 miles (my usual turnaround point).  The sidewalk there is much more even than the dirt path, but there is also more traffic.

Total time was 1:08:39, average 9:48 pace.  The whole run felt very easy, so I'm definitely feeling improvement in my fitness level.  My mile splits were 9:37, 9:50, 9:54, 9:56, 9:50, 9:45, and 9:43.  I need to be careful, though.  I'm planning some big runs this weekend (including one with Lybi and Mik'L!), which will put my mileage for the week over 40 miles.  That's a big jump from 34 last week, and I have a half marathon coming up next weekend.

I passed my husband coming the other way on the run.  He almost got hit by two cars, and he got bitten by a dog!  Rough night for him!

AM-Easy run this morning with my Saturday group, although we all got separated.  We always start out too fast (about 9:15), and then I drop back after about a mile.  I especially didn't want to push it this morning, because I'm meeting Lybi and Mik'L for 5 more miles this afternoon.  Total time was 1:40:50, with an average pace of 9:54.  One person in our group ran 22+ miles!  I feel 100% fine now, but I am a little tired.  On Friday nights we usually have sushi, and then go to Barnes and Noble and sometimes get lattes.  Last night, we got what we thought were decaf lattes.  1:30 am rolled around, and I was still wide awake!  My husband didn't sleep well, either.  If I take a little nap, I should be fine for this afternoon.

PM-I met Lybi and Mik'L for the first time, and we ran a 5-mile loop around Tempe Town Lake.  They were also the first bloggers I have met in person.  It's very cool how the blog brings people together who never would have met otherwise....I have run several races in the general area but had never run around the lake.  There were some spots of really deep sand, which made for some very challenging running.  Before the run, my legs felt surprisingly fresh, but I was feeling pretty tired by the end.  The 16 miles took its toll on my legs!  In summary: a great run with great company!