I Can Do Hard Things

We went to church today at the local branch.  It was the best service I've been too in a very long time.  The branch's building was only 2 years old (about 80 active members).  It was so beautiful and simple.  I was very impressed that they started at 9:00am sharp!

It was fast and testimony meeting.  The testimony of these sweet members were powerful.  No showiness or "trying to keep up with the Jones".  Just a pure and simple testimony.  My cup was filled.

I met a boy (probably 12-ish) who was recently baptized.  Then he converted his younger brother and eventually his Grandmother.  They walk to church every week.  It was several miles too.  Makes me grateful!

After housekeeping tried to clean our room at 7:15am, I couldn't fall back to sleep.  So I hit the TM for 8 miles.  Unfortunately, the TM stops every time you get off.  I had to keep track of the miles in my head and didn't even try to keep track of the time!

I ran 7.25 miles at 6.4mph and the last .75 I keep speeding up!  I guess I was afraid I was going to miss the breakfast buffet :) 

Legs felt a bit heavy today.  Too much lounging and eating!  I stretched for a bit and did 1 LLL set.

We went shopping this afternoon.  As we were driving into the city, I began to understand the magnitude of JUST how poor the country is.  Sure, our resort is beautiful and luxurious, but everywhere else is DIRT poor.  Makes me grateful!

We got up early this morning to go snorkeling with the sting rays.  I've decided I don't like swimming with "wild life".  Ughhh... they really freaked me out!  I snorkeled for awhile and decided I had had enough.  I sat on the dock with a few other wives!

When we got back, we laid by the pool for awhile until the lunch buffet was open.  The sun sure is hot here.  Took a long nap.  Then finally decided I should get my run in.  

So with a full gut, I headed to the fitness room.  The hard part about running here is the heat.  Oh man....it is stiffling!  Within a minute, I was already purfusely sweating.

10 minutes warm up - 6.4 mph

15 sets of 1 min hard/1 min easy

hard=9.0-9.3mph

easy=6.1 mph

Usually I do all the sets at 9.3 and above.  Not today.  I'm not going to worry about it though.  I was still stuffed from lunch and it was SO hot and humid.  At least I got some speed in today!

I finished at 4.88 miles so I decided to just walk the rest for a cool down.  Off to another buffet.  Too much food and WAY too many smoothies!

I decided I needed to get my run in today before any buffets.  I had to switch TM's, so my times were messed up again, but I did get my mileage right.

I set the speed at 6.4mph and the last mile kept bumping it up.  It wasn't quite as hot today in the fitness center.  Hooray.  My hammies and calves were very tight this morning - must have been from the speed work yesterday.  

I watched True Grit during the run today.  Such a great movie!

LONG stretching session (they don't have a foam roller here :(   ). 

3x LLL

Off to the breakfast buffet and a morning for lounging by the pool.  Hard, hard, hard life!!

My shins have been doing wonderful for the past week until today. The right shin (and in the usual spot) was very achy. Since I'm doing my long run tomorrow, I decided to make today's workout a run/walk. I ran half and walked half.

I got a massage this morning to help loosen up my hammies and calves. Tomorrow is going to possibly be a very long...long run.

More buffets, lounging my the pool and finishing my 800 page book.

Wowzer....what a run! I had to do my long run today as we are traveling back home tomorrow. I definitely don't mind having two rest days in a row.....not at all!

I had a hard time sleeping last night because I kept thinking about this darn run.  All my runs this week have fallen into the "just okay" department.  It is SO hot and humid....the complete opposite of what I am use too.

I finally got out of bed at 7:00am when hubby's alarm went off so he could go scuba diving.  I snarfed down my banana, got on my running gear and headed across the way to the fitness center.

Mentally I had prepared to do 3x6 mile runs OR 9x2 mile runs.  I planned on taking a GU every 5 miles.  And I planned to hop off for a 30 second "rest" after every 2 miles...wipe off my face, get a drink, etc.

So it went as follows:

6 miles (30 sec rest at mile 2 and 4 - GU at mile 5...just had to stop long enough to grab it off the floor) - 56:00ish 6.4 mph.  I felt good during this set.  Legs warmed up quickly and got into a groove.

Reset the TM.  Went to the bathroom to wash my face, refill my water bottle, grab a new sweat towel.

6 miles (30 sec rest at mile 2 and 4 - GU at mile 4) - 56:00ish 6.4mph.  SO glad to be done with 2 sets and only 1 to go.  Feet started to feel a bit sore, but legs doing good.

Reset TM, bathroom, new sweat towel, refill water bottle, etc.

6 miles (GU at mile 2).  I started to struggle after mile 2.  My feet were sore and my legs were getting tired and I was getting BORED!!!!  I watched the movie "When in Rome" and "Mission Impossible 3", but I was starting to go crazy.  I stopped every mile for my 30 sec rest for the last 4 miles.  I was disappointed I had to stop that much, but I was so sick of looking out that window! Plus my shorts and shirt were completely drenched with sweat.  It looked like I had jumped into the pool.  I had sweat dribbles running down my legs and the tops of my socks were soaked.  55:00 -- started at 6.4mph and bumped it up at the end.

Just to do this run alone and on a TM was a big accomplishment for me (even though the last 4 miles weren't ideal).  I wasn't even sure I had the mental toughness to get through any of it.  My shins felt great (hooray!!!!!).  I guess there is a reason WHY we do them...learning!  I know I need to mentally prepared for a hard last few miles...running on tired legs.

After the run, I quickly changed my shorts and shirt and headed to breakfast.  I couldn't eat that much....GI started to get a bit funny.  Then I stood in the pool for a few minutes up to my thighs.  It wasn't as cold as I hoped, but it will have to work for an ice bath (no ice machines here.....ughhhh). 

My goal for the rest of the day is to eat as much Cadbury chocolate, drink strawberry smoothies and relax on the beach.  Because it is all coming to an end really quick!