the ice bath

Just in case you were wondering what I look like when I torture myself with an ice bath:

Yes, I am gripping the sides of the tub and gritting my teeth!

week 12, day 2

Getting up today was a little easier - thank goodness!  I forced down some oatmeal.  Then I warmed up, stretched and foam rolled - all really well.  I rubbed some pain cream on my knees and shins again, too.  I also iced last night.  All of these seem to be helping (of course I'm sure the ice baths are having their effect too).  Leaha and I were excited to try the new route I thought of yesterday.  We ran Wickersham in reverse then we headed into town toward Waterway, down Waterway and turned around at 5th street.  It was such a nice change, but def felt really long.  I think I had imagined running through town to feel shorter.  Overall it was a good run.  It wasn't as cold or windy as yesterday morning, which was nice.  My knee pain remained absent until about mile 6 - which is great!  It came and went after that.  I felt great again for the entire run.  I really wanted to speed up, but I forced myself to maintain a steady pace.  However, it did seem like we were running faster than what we averaged.  We ran 8 miles in 1:20:02 (10:00 miles).

286/463 miles! (almost 300 miles - which makes me realize that I didn't even make a big deal about 200 miles, weird...)

week 12, day 1

The alarm went off today and I did not want to get up!  It was soooo dark this morning.  I guess I had gotten used to the light from the full moon last week.  I put some pain cream on my knees and shin before my run.  Wow!  What a difference that made.  I didn't feel any pain in my knees at all today.  It was a great run.  I felt good the entire time and I even went out with my girlfriends last night!.  We had and wonderful dinner and great conversation.  As you can imagine, three hours and three glasses of wine later, I was a good 30 minutes passed my bedtime (and still had a 30 minute drive).  It was wonderful, but I didn't get to bed until 11:00.  I was home by 10:00, but for some reason I could not sleep.  I thought for sure this morning's run would be a bit challenging, but it wasn't in the least.  Leaha and I finished 5 miles in 48:50 (9:46 miles).  I think actually keeping Monday as my rest day this week made all the difference. 

278/463 (60%) miles complete!

week 11, day 4

Well today's run was great!  I had my running partners back so I'm sure that helped (along with skipping happy hour and getting a good night's sleep - I went to bed at 9:45)!  Leaha ran the first 10 miles with me.  We ran to my parents and back into town.  The way there was perfect.  I was even a little hot.  My knees hurt at first then they warmed up by mile 2.  We made it to my parents in 52 minutes.  I had some sport jelly beans and we continued into town.  There were so many bikers out.  We had fun saying hi to them.  The wind really started to pick up - it sucked!  When we got back into town (1:47) Bekie was waiting for us (poor thing).  I ate some more sport jelly beans and we set out for a 5 mile loop (Sacred Heart).  My knees were definitely feeling it by now.  However during this loop the pain was coming in waves.  There were times when I became a head case and felt like I wasn't going to be able to complete all18 miles.  Bekie really encouraged me though!  Thanks, Bekie!! :)  When we finished we ended at my house (2:38) and I got rid of my camelbak.  Again, I felt like a new person.  I practically sprinted the last 3 miles through Wickersham.  Miles 16 and 17 were amazing.  My knee was not bothering me at all.  However, the last mile my breathing grew laborious.  I decided I should slow down some.  It was so hard because I knew I wasn't going to average 10 minute miles (like I did for 17 miles).  I know, this is such a dumb thought.  I should not be concentrating on my time.  I should just be getting miles on my feet.  I just can't help it! ugh!  So I slowed down for about a quarter mile only to speed up again.  I made it home in 3:03:50 (10:12 miles).  Here's to another milestone - 18 miles.  It really amazes me what my body can do.
I decided I would attempt another ice bath.  I invited Leaha and Bekie to help distract me.  After about 5 minutes in the tub, I realized there was no way I would have been able to stay in there had they not been with me.  Again, I wanted to cry and scream all at the same time and I couldn't do either.  I did do a much better job at moving my toes than last time, though.  Before I knew it I couldn't move anymore.  I started to feel nauseous this time.  I kept begging to get out, but they kept egging me to stay.  It worked.  The last two minutes were the absolute worst!  I told Leaha to tell me when there was one minute left.  It felt like an eternity.  Then she said "ok get out".  That was a nice surprise!  Leaha had to leave, but Bekie kept me company in bed while I warmed up some.  At first I really thought I was going to puke.  Thankfully that quickly subsided.  We chatted, tried Chobani pineapple flavored yogurt for the first time (yum!) and I waited 30 minutes to get a warm shower.  I'll admit that the ice bath did not feel any better than last time, but the girls made it much more bearable!  I am so grateful for them during these 18 weeks of training.  I keep wondering how in the world I would have done this alone!  After a warm shower, a piece of italian sub (from capriotti's), some pasta and Herr's Old Bay potato chips I was good to go.  I laid on the couch, read The Girl Who Kicked Hornet's Nest and took a nap to recover.  Only 2 more long runs left!  I can't believe it!!

273/463 miles complete!

week 11, day 3

Today's run totaled 5 miles in 48:40 (9:44 miles).  I prayed that it wouldn't be raining this morning.  And it wasn't!  Woohoo!  It was misting a bit, but not bad to run in at all.  In fact I dressed so warmly that I grew hot and took off my gloves.  It got windy around mile 3.5.  Thankfully only my face was cold.  I felt great the entire run, which is funny because Leaha suggested we run our "Sacred Heart" route and I started whining (lol) saying that I didn't want to run that one because of the hills.  I wanted to run our flatter route - "5th Street" (she hates that one).  We ran her suggested route and it was def a good decision.  My knees didn't hurt, my breathing was easy and my legs weren't tight.  I needed that - I feel like my last few runs were a bit of a challenge.  I think the icing, advil and stretching is beginning to help.  I'll find out for sure on Saturday!  Until then I will be resting and carbloading - yum!  Pasta with a rose sauce and homemade meatballs is the plan for tomorrow night's dinner.  I can't wait!
 
255/463 miles complete!

week 11, day 2

So I have to admit, I can barely remember this morning's run.  It feels so long ago.  Leaha and I set out at 5:35 in the pitch black.  We were supposed to run at 5:30, but yet again I was running late.  I had to warm up, stretch, foam roll and eat though!  Poor Leaha...always waiting for me!  So obviously it was dark when we hit the pavement.  It wasn't as starry as usual because it was cloudy, but the temperature was rather mild.  That was nice!  The moon was really bright, too.  We could see so much better than usual.  Since I ran yesterday afternoon I was rather tight as soon as my run began.  My left knee bothered me right away.  However, I soon felt better.  Once again, I must not have been as warmed up as I thought I was.  I guess I need to get up a little earlier so I can spend more time doing so.  I did a good job at starting out slow and keeping a slow pace.  My goal was to do this until the last 3 or 4 miles.  At that point I was going to allow my self to speed up.  The first 3 miles (Wickersham) felt pretty good.  The first mile was the hardest, but by mile 2 I was feeling good.  Next we ran a 5 mile route.  By mile 5 I was feeling the urge to speed up.  So I did.  This actually felt great!  It was a bit windy at this point in our run, but thankfully I was a growing hot so it was refreshing.  By the last quarter mile I was ready to sprint - it felt great!  The run totaled 8 miles in 1:21:18 (10:09 miles).  However, by the time I stretched and made some coffee I could barely walk up/down the steps.  My quads were killing me!  I don't know what happened here.  The only thing I can think of is that I ran (5 miles) on my rest day yesterday afternoon only to wake up 12 hours later to run again (8 miles) - I'm gonna guess that's prob not enough rest from running 17 miles on Saturday.  My shin did feel a little better though.  I iced last night and used icy hot.  The icy hot kept waking me up throughout the night.  Every time it changed from icy to hot (and vice versa) seemed to bother me.  I guess I won't be doing that before bed anymore.  I also took some advil this morning too.  Let's hope these remedies work!  Looking forward to rest day tomorrow, but not running in the rain on Thursday morning!  I must do it though - PMA.  I refuse to run Friday before an 18 mile run on Saturday and I refuse to skip a run.  Here's to slish-sloshing!


250/463 miles complete!

week 11, day 1

Well it's going to be another rainy week.  Yet again, I found myself running on what was supposed to be my rest day - which I was really looking forward to enjoying.  I am grateful that it was sunny though!  I got to run in capri leggings and a tee shirt - so refreshing!  Although my butt felt a bit jiggly - LOL.  I'm so used to those compression leggings.  I didn't realize what a difference they really made - they really hold everything in! :)
My knees began to hurt within the first mile, but thankfully the pain soon subsided.  I guess I wasn't as warmed up as I thought I was.  I even used my new foam roller - yaaaaaay it came way earlier than I expected!  The rest of the run felt good.  Leaha and I ran a mostly flat route - it was a nice change.  However, when I got back and went to bend over to stretch my hamstrings my left leg felt like it was ripping away from my shin bone.  It was a horrible feeling.  It really scared me.  I have experienced this before in the past, but not for at least 2 or 3 years.  Back then it subsided, but I def wasn't running anywhere close to the distance I am now.  I looked up shin splints online and it recommends no running!  Well as you can imagine, that is not an option right now.  I decided I would ice.  Of course, I got distracted with cooking dinner.  Now that I'm sitting here typing this I am realizing I should be icing - so that's what I'm going to do as soon as I finish.  Let's hope this is just a minor set back and not a major injury.  Looks like I am going to be needing those ice baths whether I like it or not!

242/463 miles complete!

P.S. I did not give a run total for this run for 2 reasons: 1) I did not run a planned route b/c I am sick of them all and 2) I just set my Nike ipod for 50  minutes and ran - it said 5.71 miles.  I know that is off because it needs to be calibrated.  I went to the Oxford's track, but it was locked and I was scared to jump the fence - it's like 10 feet high.  Then I decided I would go to Lincoln University's track.  Well it is no longer.  They tore it up and it is now a mound of dirt and rubber.  Therefore, my ipod has yet to be calibrated.  I refuse to calibrate it on the road because I want a perfect calibration from a perfectly measured distance.  LOL!  No, I'm not picky at all! ;)

week 10, day 4

So the weather turned out to be beautiful for running!  No rain at all - it was nice and sunny (a bit windy at times, but def better than rain!).  I ran the entire 17 miles solo today.  It was better than I envisioned.  I started out feeling amazing.  I made it 5 miles to my parents - had some jelly belly sport beans then headed back toward my house for 5 more miles.  I tacked on a little 1 miler then went back to my house for some gu chomps.  Next, I headed out for one of my 3 mile loops.  This was a bit rough but once I was half way finished I was feeling good again.  I definitely went through waves of feeling good then bad throughout this run.  I dropped my camelbak off at my house and ran another one of my 3 mile loops (the last 3 of the day).  I felt like a brand new person without the camelbak.  It's funny because it wasn't bothering me as I was running, but once I took it off I felt so much better!  I was practically sprinting the last 3 miles.  Then during the last mile my left knee was killing me!  This knee definitely bothers me more than my right knee, but it was screaming at me by this point.  I changed up my stride and kept going.  Overall it was a good run - no crying, which is amazing!  Even though, sometimes it feels good.  I added some new songs to my playlist (new to my playlist, that is), which is always fun (money grabber, rolling in the deep, young folks and born this way)!  When I got back I was feeling a bit out of it, but I drank some water and gatorade and stretched.  This def helped.  Then I got ready for my first ice bath.  A friend of mine (who is an awesome runner and great inspiration) encouraged me to tackle these.  She said for her first marathon she didn't do them and was sore for 2 weeks.  She did them for her second marathon and was back to running in 3 days.  That is how she sold me.  So Brent got me two 5lb bags of ice.  I put on my running shorts, a tee shirt, long sleeve shirt and hoodie.  I made myself some coffee and brought my book.  Well let me tell you!  It didn't matter what I was wearing, that I had coffee or a book because I could not concentrate on anything except for how much pain I was in.  My toes and achilles tendons were hurting so bad!  She had suggested that I keep moving my toes - I couldn't bear to move them.  I can't even describe the way that I felt.  Brent had set the timer for 20 minutes for me.  I was dying to look at the time, but instead I encouraged myself to read my book.  So I picked it up, but only to put it back down.  I didn't even open it - LOL!  Seriously I couldn't do anything.  I wanted to cry and scream all at the same time - I couldn't do either!  It was such a weird feeling.  So I caved and looked at the time - I still had 11 minutes left.  So I yelled for Brent hoping that would help distract me.  He came up and I asked him how much time was left, ha!  I still had  9 minutes to go.  I kept saying I can't do this!  But at the same time I couldn't get out either, so somehow I lasted for 4 more minutes - a total of 15 minutes.  My friend recommended 15-20 so clearly I was not staying in there for 20!  LOL!  I got out and my legs were so red and numb.  I stripped off my wet clothes, dried off, stumbled to my bed and got under the electric blanket.  I was not warming up as quickly as I thought I would.  I was shivering and my lips were blue.  Eventually I took a hot shower and got back in bed.  I started to warm up more, but my lips were still blue.  When I woke up I dried my hair and got some food (white cheddar popcorn and a baked potato with butter and cheese).  Finally I felt warm again - about an hour later.  I really want to be able to continue ice baths, but I just don't know how I'm going to convince myself.  Next week is 18 miles so we'll see if a week is enough time for me to forget how bad it hurt, ha!  I have to admit today I really started thinking to myself, what the hell am doing?  why do I think running 26.2 miles is a good idea? who do I think I am? I decided to reward myself with dinner at Carraba's.  It was perfect!  Now that I am hydrated and dinner is digested I feel like I can do this.  I'm not in pain anymore - well my knees are bothering me a bit, but at this point I feel like it's been a normal Saturday.  This is def a good sign, right?  It's mind over matter and clearly running by myself for almost 3 hours affected my mind.  I can do this and I will do this!  Today's run totaled 17 miles in 2:50:33 (10:01 miles).

237/463 (more than halfway finished mileage!)

week 10, day 3

This morning's run feels like it was so long ago.  I woke up so congested.  Not to be graphic, but I never hocked up so many loogies in my life!!  I actually had to stop my electric tooth brush twice because the mucous was making me gag - so weird.  Once again, I ran under the stars.  It was a nice mild morning though!  I actually grew so hot I took off my gloves.  Overall the run was smooth and easy (4 miles in 39:10 - 9:47 miles).  My shins bothered me slightly, but I made it through.  The run actually helped me breathe better.  I took sudafed twice today, which helped lessen the mucous.  However my glands are still so swollen and my throat is killing me.  Time to pop some advil along with more sudafed and hope for the best!  They are calling for rain on Saturday so I'm a bit stressed about my 17 mile run.  I'm going to try to relax and hope for the good weather.  If it rains then I'll just run on Sunday, right? (I really don't want to though)  The weather is supposed to be beautiful for running.  Time to be flexible!


220/463 mile complete!

week 10, day 2

So this morning I woke up to pure darkness and the first thought that popped into my head was a negative one - "Ugh, I don't want to get up.  I don't want to run in the dark - this sucks!"  Then before I knew it I reminded myself to focus on keeping a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA)!  This is my new goal (as of yesterday - lol) - hmmm maybe I will give up negative attitudes for Lent.  Anyhow I hit the pavement at 5:35.  It was sooooooooo dark, but at least it didn't feel too cold.  I made sure I warmed up, stretched really well and took advantage of my last day with the foam roller (thanks so much, Stacy).  I did order one for myself, though.  It's arrival is set for next week - yaaaay!  Needless to say, my legs felt great right away - thank goodness!  I changed up my route a bit which felt nice as well.  Before too long Leaha and I realized we were running under the stars.  It was actually pretty cool - a nice and peaceful feeling!  The sun began to creep up around 6:40 and by 6:50 the horizon was a beautiful pink.  I kept a nice steady pace and finished 8 miles in 1:17:17 (9:39 miles). 

216/463 miles complete!

experts are there for a reason

I must learn to listen to experts.  After all, that's what they're there for, right?  I came across this randomly today: "Speed isn't as important as covering the distance and logging the time on your feet.  Running too fast risks injury and leaves your muscles fatigued and sore, interfering with quality workouts for days." (Basic Marathon Training by Don Garber, Leigh Ann Berry and Chip Mitchell).  Do you know how many times I have read/heard something of this nature.  Why can't I listen?  I just blogged that I was tight while running today.  Well that's because I'm running too fast!  I just can't help it...I seem to always want to speed up!  So then I continued to read and look what advice came next: "If you feel as though you are running too slow for your current fitness level, commit to maintaining a slower pace until the last 3-5 miles of the run, then pick up the pace through the finish."  This is the perfect solution for me.  This is exactly the technique I have thought about using when I actually run my marathon - start out nice and slow and speed up after mile 20.  "Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect". ~ Vince Lombardi

half way finished!! week 10, day 1

 Well I am officially half way finished training.  I can't believe it!  It looks like this week is going to be another off week since they're calling for rain on Wednesday.  I decided to run today, Tuesday and Thursday.  I knew there was no way I could chance having to run on Friday since I have 17 miles to tackle on Saturday.
Today's run was rather difficult.  I didn't warm up or stretch enough pre-run and my legs immediately tightened up within the first half mile.  I pushed through and focused on lengthening my strides.  This seemed to help a bit, but before I knew it my left outer shin was really bothering me.  I still continued to run.  I focused on my music and the beautiful sunshine.  That really helped.  Before I knew it I only had one mile left.  I felt myself starting to speed up - I was ready to get home and relax.  I made sure to stretch (and take advantage of the fact that I forgot to give my friend's foam roller back to her) as soon as I got home - boy did that feel good!  I'm a bit worried about how my legs will feel for my 8 miler tomorrow morning in complete darkness!  Dumb daylight savings.  I'd so much rather wake up to sunshine!  Wish me luck!

Today's total = 5 miles in 44:55 (8:59 miles)

208/463 miles complete!

week 9, day 4

My friend let me borrow her foam roller and wow, what a difference it made!  My knee pain was definitely not as prominent as it normally is during long runs.  I used the roller on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  It really helped to loosen up my IT band.  Who would have thought something so simple could make such a difference?  I have got to invest in one! 
This was the first time I ran my long run early in the morning.  We planned to leave for Erin Express at 9:30am so I had to run at 6:50am.  It wasn't as bad as I thought, but for the first time during training I just did not feel like running.  It wasn't until about 6 miles that I started to feel good.   I finished the last 5 much more easily than the first 5.  It was nice to run a shorter distance of 11 miles.  It took me 1:43:51 (9:26 miles).  This week, not only do I have to prepare for 17 miles, but my weekly mileage increases as well!  Whoa!

203/463 miles complete! 

pays to plan ahead

I am so glad I did not have to run today.  Thank God I believed the weather man this time!  There is no way I would have survived running in this weather.  I am so grateful I bumped up my runs for this week.  Even though I really could have used the rest day on Monday, it's all worth it now!  Here's to another day of rest tomorrow - except that I'm cheating a little and doing Cardio X in the am.  A Friday workout always makes the post-work beverages taste a little better!  So excited to carb-load with a homemade pasta meal tomorrow night. :)

week 9, day 3

I knew I had to run by myself today so I turned the alarm off 3 times!  What does that tell you?  All I have to say is I am very thankful for Leaha - if I had to train by myself I think I really would be struggling!  I know I keep saying this but I am so sick of it being cold and dark!!!  I think I left Arizona too quick.  Although, I don't remember being this fed up with winter ever!  I wonder if it's because I'm having to run outside way more than I have in the past.  As always, once I got out there I was fine.  It definitely helped that it was already light out by 6am.  Still, I kept finding myself speeding up because I wanted to get home.  This would normally be fine, except that it was making my run quite challenging.  It was as if my mind wasn't listening to my body.  Overall it was a good run.  I tried to relax and enjoy the sunrise.  I ran 4 miles in 37 minutes flat (9:15 miles).  Now I have two rest days in a row to look forward to and only 11 miles for my distance run this weekend - woohoo!

192/463 miles complete!

week 9, day 2

During this run my legs were definitely the most tired/tight/sore they've been lately.  Now that I'm getting into my longest distances on the weekends, I think I'm really starting to feel their effects during my weekly runs.  I'm sure since I ran yesterday when it was supposed to be a rest day had an impact as well (that's what happens when the weather doesn't cooperate).  I'm hoping having two days, Thursday and Friday, as rest days (normally I only have Friday) before my long run will help.  My friend recommended a foam roller.  She is bringing it to work tomorrow to let me try it out.  I can't wait!  The most noticeable part has been the tightness in my calves.  This isn't an area that usually bothers me.  At the beginning of my run, my knees were sore in places they normally aren't (inside area).  After about 2 miles they felt better - I think they needed more time to get warmed up.  I really need to be more proactive about warming up/stretching pre-run and stretching/icing post-run.  For some reason it doesn't dawn on me to ice until I'm ready for bed - not helpful.  Even though my legs were tired I still had the stamina to speed up the last 1.5 miles of my run.  This always makes me feel good.  At least I always end my runs on a positive note.  I ran 7 miles in 1:05:05 (9:17 miles).

188/463 miles complete!

week 9, day 1

I can't believe after this week I will be half way finished with training!  Normally today is a rest day, but since there's an 80% chance of rain on Thursday, I bumped this week's runs up.  I ran 4 today, then I'll do 7 on Tuesday and 4 on Wednesday.  There's also a chance I'm going to run my long run on Friday because we're going to the Erin Express on Saturday.  So this week's all mixed up!  I guess it doesn't matter as long as I get them in, right?  Anyway, today's run went well.  I had a faculty meeting after school today so as soon as my feet hit the pavement I was ready to be back home.  I think that's why I ended up running so fast.  I finished in 33:15 (8:18 miles). 

181/463 miles complete!

week 8, day 4

Well Saturday's run went exceptionally well considering I ran by myself the entire time!  I hadn't run alone during training until then.  I ran my longest distance to date - 15 miles.  My legs were a bit tight in the beginning, but soon warmed up.  My knee pain held out until about 8 miles.  Thankfully the hills helped.  My camelbak began to really annoy me at one point.  It seemed to really be bouncing around.  However, I tried tightening it and that did the trick.  Running alone made me notice more about my body's pains and form.  When I run with someone I don't seem to notice these things as much.  While it was nice to be alone to think, enjoy my music and take in the scenery, I def was a bit mental at some points.  I even wanted to cry a few times - for different reasons (happy, sad and scared). 

I mentally broke up my run into three parts.  I ran 5 miles in town, 5 miles out to my parents and 5 miles back home.  The first half definitely seemed to take longer than the second half.  However, by mile 12 my knees were really bothering me.  It made me a bit worried for the marathon.  By the end of my run I did not feel like I would have been able to run 11 more miles.  I'm thinking I def need to ice more and take Advil before every run.  My dad suggested I use a cream like Bengay, too.  Hopefully these will help.  I have heard of taking ice baths, but I am afraid of them - lol.  All in all it was  good run - 15 miles in 2:27:13 (9:56 mile), but I'm looking forward to an easy 11 this Saturday!


 177/463 miles complete!

week 8, day 3

This morning was pretty cold at the start, but somehow I soon became very comfortable.  I've been really enjoying the fact that it is light out by 6 and the sun is up by 6:30.  I'm not looking forward to turning our clocks back at all!  Of course that will occur the same week that I increase my Wednesday runs to 8 miles.  On a more positive note the sunrise has gotten earlier and earlier pretty quickly - here's to hoping it continues to to do so after daylight savings.  I could always run in the afternoon on Wednesdays since I don't have any obligations after work, but it's just so nice to get it finished first thing.  I'll just have to see how dark it actually will be.  For now I'll enjoy my last week of am sunlight. 
The rest of today's run was great.  I finished 4 miles in 37:37 (9:24 miles). I wore a stopwatch to measure the time against my ipod.  Low and behold it was accurate.  It feels so good to know that, even after pacing myself at slower paces, I still have it in me to run an 8:50 pace for 7 miles.  I'm looking forward to my rest day tomorrow.  Even more, it's Friday AND I'm heading to Victory with some awesome gals!  I have 15 miles to run on Saturday and I'm finally not feeling nervous at all.  I think since 14 miles went so well, I'm actually looking forward to 15 - never thought I'd say that!

162/463 miles complete!

week 8, day 2

Today's run went really well.  It was prob one of the warmest mornings to date.  My breathing was easy, my strides were even and I was a comfortable temperature for the entire run.  On Saturday I discovered that I could eat oatmeal right before running without cramping.  I was hungry today when I woke up so I decided I should try the oatmeal again.  I also had Gu Chomps again.  They def provided the energy I needed and made for a better run.
Leaha broke off from me around 5 miles.  She had mentioned she was making green eggs for her students to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday.  I remembered that last night Brent's dad dropped off 3 dozen eggs so I decided (right at that moment - 2 miles to go) that I should make green eggs for my students too.  Therefore, I began to really speed up my pace to get home so I would have time to make them (I'm so glad I did, b/c my students loved them!).  This really helped motivate me.  I ended up running 7 miles in 61:54 which is an 8:50 mile.  However, my ipod has not been too accurate lately (at least compared to walkjogrun.net).  My ipod said I ran 4.5 miles yesterday when walkjogrun.net said 4.  Today it said I ran 7.44 when walkjogrun.net said 7.   Then I ended running at an unbelievable pace...but could the clock on my ipod really be off?  I mean the clock keeps time no matter what the ipod is calibrated at, right?  I guess the only way to make sure is to run with a stop watch tomorrow.  Either way, I don't think it can be off by that much so I am pleased with my pace. :)

158/463 miles complete!

week 8, day 1

There's not much to report about yesterday's run.  The weather was pretty chilly, but not cold enough to have to wear a face mask - thank goodness!  All in all it was an easy four.  I thought I would have struggled since I just ran 14 miles on Saturday.  Anytime I run a half marathon, I take a week off from running.  Then after I run my longest distance to date, I only take 2 days off...I must be training well because I felt fine.  I finished in 37:01 which is a 9:15 mile.

151/463 miles complete