Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

I can't believe I'm able to say this again, but I had a great long run on Saturday.  Two weeks in a row, still with the heat and humidity...and a good run?  What's up with that?  I'm not complaining, but it's just odd to not struggle with a long run.  Any case, I'll take it!  My group ran 6 miles, and seriously, I felt great.  In fact when I looked at my mileage splits afterward, my last mile was far and away the fastest...you'd think I'd have been more tired by mile 6 than, say, at mile 3, but nope.  I did take a Salted Caramel-flavored GU at mile 3, so maybe it kicked in?  By the way, I have a new favorite flavor of GU - if you like caramel, then this is the GU for you (I tried to write YU but I just couldn't)(I know I just did but it doesn't count).

We encouraged our runners to wear maroon in support of the big Aggie game - here's a shot of some of the halfers (lots of people headed home right after they finished to get to their tailgate parties):
Six miles and done!  Amy is even holding a stuffed mascot for Texas A&M - it's a collie dog named Reveille.  

While did our 6 miles, the full group was out there doing 15 - three loops of 5 miles.  There was a lot more traffic than usual that morning due to the game - you would not believe how many people came into our town for it.  During their last loop, Julia and Phillip had a very scary incident with a college-age driver who fell asleep at the wheel, drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic, and nearly hit them!  They both jumped out of the way - thankfully, they were alert to their surroundings and realized what was happening in time.  Very, very frightening, and now we are rethinking our routes, especially on game days.  As a runner, you can do everything "right" but still get hurt.  Thankfully, that didn't happen on Saturday, but it was too close for comfort.

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We're in Florida this week, and haven't run at all, although we hope to - maybe tomorrow, if our legs aren't too tired from walking around all day at Harry Potter World today.  One thing that I love about being a runner, though, is that distance doesn't scare me anymore.  For example, there are a bunch of restaurants and shops - all touristy places - close to our hotel.  On Monday, I decided to walk over and check everything out.  I put on my running shoes, and my Garmin, just out of curiosity, and set off.  I roamed around, looked at everything, stopped at Subway to bring a sandwich back to the hotel for lunch, and returned.  The Garmin readout was 1.78 miles.  No big deal...now.  Once upon a time, though?  That distance might as well have been one hundred miles - no way would I have considered walking it.  It's important to me that I take the time to remember where I was just a few years ago, because I have come a long way, both literally and figuratively, and I don't want to forget that, or the hard work I put into getting here.
 
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We'll be missing our 8 mile long run this Saturday; I'm looking at it as an opportunity to give my legs/ankles/feet some extra days to repair and heal, as my muscles and joints are letting me know that I have been putting in some decent miles on them.  We are halfway through our training, so this is probably a good time for a bit of a break.  So a low-mileage week, but I'm OK with that.

12 comments:

  1. I'm so happy to read that the longer distances don't scare you anymore. What a great feeling that must be for you. And there's nothing wrong with a low mileage week, will give you fresh legs next week.

    Like you never imagined to walk to those places years ago, I have that feeling when I do these 10K walks with Bella. If you told me even last year, I would enjoy walking 10K, I would have said you were nuts. Just yesterday Bella and I crossed the 600K mark with our walks (last year total was 631K) and we have walked for 5 whole days this year. How cool is that?

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  2. Oops .... have lots of fun at Harry Potter world. I mentioned it to R. Monday when I read on your blog about this and we envy you a little as HP fans :)

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  3. I'm green with envy of anyone at Harry Potter world! Have fun! And how great is it to have a great run in heat and humidity! It's been taking a toll on me all summer and I can't wait for fall to get here!

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  4. you know me
    IM ALLL FOR FORCED REST DAYS :-)

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  5. I totally get you about not fearing the distance. We were just in DC and I felt as if I could walk for miles and miles (and we did - 8 just in one day). Enjoy your vaca and like MizFit says enjoy your rest days!

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  6. I love the Salted Caramel Gu tu! Enjoy Florida!

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  7. Have fun at Harry Potter world! I'd never heard of it before you mentioned it!

    Last night I was feeling so good that I ran for just a little ways. And it felt so good that I totally got why you enjoy running.

    That is so scary about the runners almost being hit. There was a blogger and her husband who were killed by a driver just taking a walk. I pretty much don't walk on the road I used to enjoy because it has curves and no shoulder in some places, and there are enough stupid fast drivers that I decided it just wasn't safe enough.

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  8. I cant wait to try this caramel salted gu!! Ive read it about it in quite a few blogs recently!! Have a blast in Florida!!

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  9. Harry Potter World!! I am so jealous I can't believe it. :) Hope you have a great time!

    I like the new look on your blog by the way. Not sure how long you've had it, I've been out of blogging for months. And that picture of you is SO beautiful!

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  10. Isn't it the most wonderful thing to be able to not fear distance...or stairs...or hills... That's my definition of freedom.

    Have a blast and enjoy your "Rest" :)

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  11. Harry Potter world???? So want to go!!! Have a great time Shelley.

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  12. Have an awesome time in Florida! Hope it isn't still too hot, but then again, you live in Texas...

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