Each Day Is a Gift

Between waiting for the carpet installer, cleaning, and the rainy day, I didn't go out for a run.  I had to run on the treadmill instead.  The TV reception was all messed up w/ hubby switching it to the new guest room.  So I pop in "My Best Friend's Wedding", the only one already in the DVD player and hopped on the treadmill while the carpet guy worked in the other rooms.

6 miles tempo run in 49:40.  Average pace: 8:16  Splits:  9:00, 8:20, 8:06, 8:06, 8:06, 8:06, (did 0.25 mi in 7:53 at the end).

Leaving for Houston to see my grandbabies tomorrow.  Probably won't get much running in this week.

No running today.  After a hectic morning I arrived at Houston only to find the storm has followed me.  It's a rainy, dreary day.  It's so good to see the grandchildren.  However, my daughter is very sick in bed with nausea, vomitting and horrible headache.  I made some chicken soup for the children and their dad.  I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow morning. 

It rained sheets all night.  By morning it had turned into a light mist.  The Greenbelt Trail here is a concrete path along wooded area behind the homes.  I noticed the trees were "thined" out somewhat from the last time I ran here in May, evidence of  the hurricane.  There are still remnants of downed trees mostly stumps and roots on the side of the trail.  Other than having to run around a feel puddles, the trail is cleared.  The rabbits are still abundant. 

I only had time for a short run today.  The trail by my daughter's house is almost 2.5 miles so I ran that loop twice to make a 5 miler in 47:52.  I felt sluggish at first but was able to pick it up a little on the second loop.

Splits: 10:40, 9:50, 9:28, 9:04, 8:50. 

Went to bed late last night.  Had to get the run in before Jade went to school at 8 am.  I was planning on a 6 miler along the trail on Kingwood Dr.  There were three trail heads right by Larissa's house that was part of the Greenbelt Trail.  I took the wrong one or the longest one and miscalculated the distance so ended up running 7.25 to make it back.  I felt very tired from the get go.  I forgot to bring my vitamins and supplements, also didn't eat any breakfast like I normally would at home.  My quads, left knee and calves were very sore.  Wonder if it was from running on the concrete and hopping over puddles yesterday.  It actually felt better when I picked up the pace.  As soon as I got back, I didn't have time to ice or cool down.  It didn't help that we spent all morning Christmas shopping. 

7.25 miles very very slow splits:  10:52, 10:20, 9:55, 9:30, 9:23, 9:10, 9:30, last 0.25 mi at 9:45 (had to stop to look for direction) 

Woke up this morning with puffy hands, edema (too much Texas salsa, chips and soda pop)arthritis, back ache, and just about everything hurts.  It's nice that hubby was able to join us after his weeklong meetings in Houston.  So he helped the grandkids with breakfast and such while I moaned in bed.  He was all chirpy and beat me out the door for a walk with Lex.  I didn't want to run but knew I'd feel better if I do.  I dragged my cement legs over the concrete trail for a 3.51 painfully slow recovery run.  I didn't see any rabbits, just a gazillion squirrels this morning.  TGIF!!!  We went shopping at a fancy mall, eating out for lunch and dinner.  I've been eating too much junk...everything is BIG in texas, including serving size.  Here are the HUGE NUMBER splits: 11:38, 10:48, 10:20, 10:15.  How ridiculous, the turtles can crawl faster than me!  AAARRRGGGHHH!!!   

I think the temp. this morning was around 38.  I chuckled as I ran past all the local walkers who were wearing jackets and ear muffs.  I wore a short sleeve shirt and shorts, could have used a pair of magic gloves though.  It was the first morning all week that the sky was clear blue.  Sun was peaking thru the trees with a fairly strong cold breeze coming from the northwest.  I got up a little late, been going to bed after midnight, it finally caught up on me.  We planned on going to Jade's gymnastic class at 9am, then to Chinatown for dim sum, shopping and visit the Children's Museum of Houston, dinner and movie.  So no time to run long, cool down or stretch.

I ran to the lake at Woodland Hills.  It was a beautiful lake with tree lined trails and manicured golf-course on the other side.  It looks like this area escaped the hurricane.  There were quite a few exotic looking birds diving for fish in the lake.  The squirrels were still sleeping, only a few greeted me and the rabbits were hiding.  Lotsa walkers with their canine friends.  I only saw two runners.  Six months ago when I ran this same route on a Sat. there were groups of runners.  Occasionally there were patches of soft pine needles and beds of fallen oak and maple leaves to cushion my strides.

10.24 miles in 1:37:45  Splits:  10:17, 9:40, 9:44, 9:24, 9:26, 9:31, 9:28, 9:31, 9:20, 9:20 (last 0.24 mi at 8:41)