Back in the saddle?

Well, I surprised myself today!  I had planned on running 7 miles, but I felt so good after I got started that I decided to run 8. When I got to the turnaround spot, I just decided to keep going.  I was running among the high rise buildings by then, and it was fun to run there without traffic and people around.  I ended up running almost to my office.  I also ran much faster than normal, but it still felt easy (until the last 2 miles or so).  I was surprised at that as well, especially after not running at all last week.

Total time was 1:28:38, average 9:17 pace.  My mile splits were 9:16, 9:25, 9:21, 9:15, 9:17, 9:21, 9:17, 9:10, 9:17, and 5:00 (8:57 pace) for the last .56 mile.

After all the food I've been eaten, this run was much-needed.  It also was a huge confidence booster for the marathon.

Time to cook Christmas food!  Merry Christmas Eve!!

Unsuccessful attempt at a tempo run.  I warmed up in the first mile, ran a slow tempo mile, and gave up when the headwinds approached hurricane strength.   I'm frustrated about tempo runs in general, but I will save it for a message board post on another day.

Total time was 36:36, a 9:09 average.  Mile splits were 9:13, 8:43, 9:08, and 9:30.  I'm very glad I got a run in on Christmas Day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Brrr!  It is 47 degrees now, but it feels much colder.  I don't think the temp is right.  It felt harder to maintain my pace, and I couldn't feel my legs after about 5.5 miles.  I decided to slow the pace down a bit, because the run felt harder tonight.  Is it normal for my legs to be numb in 47 degrees?  I wore short shorts and a long-sleeved shirt.  My upper body felt very comfortable.  Weird...

Total time was  1:13:13, a 9:42 average.  My mile splits were 9:42, 9:49, 9:45, 9:33, 9:35, 9:48, 9:49, and 5:13 for .55 (9:33 pace).

There is a freeze warning tonight.  My husband is outside putting sheets on our ficus trees and other plants.

I was able to squeeze in 5 miles on the treadmill between work and dinner tonight.  It was boring, but I'm glad I got it done.  I ran it in 48:10, a 9:38 average pace.  It didn't feel as easy as a 5-mile treadmill run should, but it was fine.

We went to a Thai restaurant for dinner (yum!) with family that I had not seen in 15 years, and one family member whom I had never met.  It was a fun ending to a LONG day.

Tomorrow will be an intense day at work.  I'm hoping I can go home a little early and take a nap to gear up for 20 miles on Saturday!

My taper has officially begun!  It was in the low 30s when I started running at 6:40 this morning.  This time I wore pants, a tank top, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a hat.  I felt so much better.  I started feeling slightly warm at about mile 16, but at that point, heat was the last thing I was worried about!  I ran solo again, with my iPod.  I feel so much better right now than I did after my last 20-mile run.

Total time was 3:17:22, a 9:52 average.  My average pace is almost identical to last time.  My mile splits were 10:20, 10:21, 10:15, 10:06, 9:50, 9:54, 10:04, 10:01, 10:04, 10:03, 9:53, 9:52, 9:43, 9:42, 9:42, 9:35, 9:17, 9:41, 9:45, and 9:12.

This drives me crazy!  I NEVER run this slowly.  After the first mile, I consciously tried to crank up the pace, and I absolutely could not do it until mile 11!  Obviously I can run much faster than 10:20, which shows with the last half of the run.  My husband and I discussed the possible reasons: I ate immediately before starting my run (no GI issues, but it probably took a while for the energy to reach my muscles), I rolled out of bed and left from my house (no time for my body to wake up), and the cold.  If anyone can think of another reason and has any tips, please let me know.  I would much rather run a steady pace.

The highlight of my run was my 3rd and final Gu.  It was MINT CHOCOLATE!!  I bought an entire box.  The packaging has green and red decorations, so it's a special "winter" flavor.  It is SO GOOD.  Snap them up if you can!!!

Because this is my first two-week taper, I would appreciate any tips on how much to reduce my mileage.  Also, should I do strides during these two weeks?