I Can Do Hard Things

Preschool route

1:10:49

AP:  8:51

9:17, 9:07, 9:02, 9:17, 8:54, 8:49, 8:32, 7:43

Hubby is out of town, so I HAD to sleep in and run during preschool.  Oh, how I just HATE sleeping in :)  Since I had a bit more time, I decided to get my mid-week longish run done. 

It was beautiful outside and I just decided to run by feel.  I only used my watch for distance.  I had to stop a few times to stretch out my calves...still feeling tight.  I think I may get some ART done on them before Ogden just to loosen them up.

It was beautiful out this morning.  It is amazing how much more ALIVE I feel when I don't run in the middle of the night.  I stopped at 4 miles and took a GU/water (I probably don't need to take one, but mentally it always helps...so what the heck!!!).

There were a lot of runners out this morning and it was fun to try to catch them on the way back to the car.

Lunges/LLL/Foam roll/stretching

I had a 45 minute window during dance class to get my run in.  Ughhh....it was way to warm for my liking (I definitely do better with chilly weather!!).

3 easy miles - no watch

I decided to help my designer with a *quick* sewing project.  A quick 50 skirts/shirts by Monday.  I'm stressing a bit.  My ceiling and family room are still halfway painted...the stuff is strewn every where.  Millions of "end of school" activities, recitals, games.  Plus my son told me last night that my belly is big...like having a baby big (no, I'm not pregnant....remnants of bearing children and too many cokes).  Then he told me I don't ever play games with him.  Dad does this....Dad does that...Dad...Dad...Dad.  And Dad is still out of town.  Bleh.....

Another preschool run.

1 mile warm up

I wanted to get in one more speed workout...but not as many reps.  I figured the HS track would be occupied since school was in session, so I decided to do hills.  There are 2 large hills right next to each other.  So I ran up HILL A - turned left - ran down HILL B - turned around - ran up HILL B -turned right- ran down HILL A.  Repeat for a total of 6 hills.  Hill A is MUCH steeper and longer than Hill B.  But both are a good climb.

HILL A (900 E)

1:20

1:18

1:16

HILL B (700 N)

56

54

52

I think it is interesting that I got faster by 2 second on each one.  It took me a long time to get my breathing under control during the cool down. 

Long stretching session, LLL and foam rolling.  I had some ART done on my calves yesterday.  I have long lines of bruises down the back of my legs.  OUCH!  I think I will have it done again on Monday.  Hubby comes home tonight!!!!

Hubby is home, but I decided to sleep in today and run during preschool.  It was much warmer than I had anticipated, but enjoyed the sunshine.  Vitamin D always does the body good!

49:18

AP:8:54

9:35, 9:13, 9:10, 8:56, 8:16, 4:06

I felt just ok on this run.  I've been thinking a lot about the Ogden Marathon next weekend.  I was having a bit of a mental breakdown on the run today. 

I feel good about my training...I've been smart. I've built my mileage slowly and started to add some speed work (I don't think I would have done anything differently, but I still have a long ways to go).  No injuries.   But I don't think I'm any faster or stronger than St George. 

Here comes the mental breakdown part.  I saw several women out running today.  None were overweight but not super fit and trim.  They had less than perfect form.  Just plugging along.  AND it hit me....I was looking at myself.  I look just like they did.

For the longest time (this is before having kids and 2 years ago when I started back running), I thought I knew everything about running.  I was thin and "fit".  I was fast.  I could do it all. 

But I can't.  Some days I struggle to just stay afloat with life.  And I'm not sure I'll every be a really great runner.  Maybe I'm just realizing what  my running ability is and I need to adjust my goals and expectations.  Qualifying for Boston may never happen. I may just always fit in that "average" category.  Maybe I need to just accept that.

All of this garbage was floating through my head during the run.  Isn't that why we run.....to get out all the garbage?

SOOOOOO.....I don't really have a goal for Ogden.  This will only be my second marathon, so it is hard to judge where my fitness level is.  I feel like my confidence is slipping away by the minute. Sorry for the sad post....sometimes writing things out helps me sort through issues.

I came home and worked in my garden all afternoon.  I got my hanging baskets for my front porch so we can have our annual "Mother's Day Picture".  Flowers always make me feel better.

C'est la vie.

8 easy miles.  My legs felt heavy today.  So I just took it easy.

AP:  9:25 - UP farmhill road

9:26, 9:38, 9:41, 9:36, 9:15, 9:15, 9:10, 9:30

My son has been bugging me about taking him running.  His timing is always less than ideal....right after dinner, right before bed.  So when I got back, I took him out for an easy mile.  It was SO fun to run with him and listen to his constant chattering!  I need to take him out more often or have him ride his bike with me while I run. 

1 miles - 11:32

Sorry for the depressing post yesterday.  Feeling better today.