Running Adventures

Although I'm logging this as an easy pace 8 miles it was not easy. I didn't have time to run 8 miles this morning so I broke the 8 miles into two runs. I did 4 miles on the treadmill this morning with a 6.1-6.2 pace. I just couldn't get into my groove & had a brutal run.  

This afternoon I made the unwise decision to run the pumice pits but from the opposite way I usually run, which made the first 2 miles uphill. I just didn't have the energy for it & had to walk a lot which was frustrating. The last 2 miles were flat or downhill & I ran much better.  I'm still exhausted after my 2nd run but I don't think nearly as bad as when I run the full 8 at once. I'm undecided if I'll break up my next long run. 

Today the treadmill beat the crap out of me only a quarter mile into my run. I have some nice bruises & road rash. I decided to still run cause I may need to race injured someday so it was good practice. I did a 1 mile warm up & 1 mile cool down at 5.8. I did 3 miles at my half-marathon wishful thinking pace goal of a 9:30 mile which is 6.3 on the treadmill. I have a hard time running that slower pace. I don't know if I should bump both paces up (6.3 was a good pace though) or just the slower pace.

today I did a 2 mile warm up at 5.8. Then I did 4 miles at 6.3 with a 90 second rest between each mile then a 1 mile cool down at 6.0. It felt great even with my injuries. I watched Netflix on my iPad which was a welcome distraction on the treadmill. I can't wait for my outdoor run tomorrow! 

Today I ran outside through the pumice pits. My first mile had a lot of uphill & I had a hard time breathing. I ran super fast miles 2-4 but I think my gps was off because it was telling me I was only running a 10:15 mi or so & I know I was hauling @$$, especially since a large portion was downhill. I cooled down with about a mile walk up to my house that has a pretty steep grade. Now four miles feels like nothing, progress!

So proud of myself today! I haven't ran the last few days because my knee has been bothering me a lot. I've been taking aleve & wearing a brace to help swelling. I wasn't sure if I should run today but figured I could drop it down to a 5k if it was hurting too much. I actually did fine during the run, didn't hurt until after. I was glad I had a little rabbit to chase. Pretty stoked about my time & can't wait for the next race. 

mile 1: 5.8 warm-up

mile 2: 5.9 warm-up

mile 3: 6.6 marathon pace

mile 4: 6.5 cut down due to asthma (huge allergy flare after race on Saturday)

mile 5: 6.6 marathon pace

mile 6: 6.0 cool down

I realized after my race on Saturday that I need to push myself much harder during training so I've bumped up my speed quiet a bit. Hopefully my asthma & allergies calm down soon. 

Today I ran 10 miles, which is the longest distance I've ever ran.  I felt pretty good until the last 1.5 miles. It was cold & windy with lots of hills so I still feel great about it. Ankles & knees really hurt toward the end but nothing an ibuprofen won't fix. I kept around a 9 min mile pace for the first 3-4 miles which was awesome & then the hills started kicking my butt. It's a great run to practice for the teton dam half with all the hills :) I put my weight in today, that was my weight March 1st, I only weigh in once a month. My legs have really changed over the last few months which has been fun to see.

Mile 1 & 2: 6.0

Mile 3-5: 6.3 & 6.4

Props to the people running outside in the nasty wind today

Mile 1: 6.0

Mile 2: 6.1

Mile 3-5: 6.4

Mile 6: 6.3

I hate treadmills.

Today was windy outside & a few farmers were out tilling the ground so the dust didn't help the asthma. I lost my inhaler at the begining of the run (found it about 1/2 mile from my house on the road, but don't know if it's working condition still). I planned on usingm my inhaler after one hour but it was still lost at that point so I had to take 1 minute breaks each mile after 6.5 miles. Pretty good practice run with the typical Idaho wind though.