Enough already

I'm ready for this wind to let up. It's nice to have a tailwind on the last 1/2 mile, but it makes the straight leg of my run interminable.

2.5 today.

200 days to go.

Windy and Windier

Yesterday I got some bad news at work, so all I wanted to do when I got home was run. It's the only time I feel like I'm in control of anything because it's just me. Ran 5K, then ran the same route backwards this morning just to have something different to look at. In both cases I ended up running uphill and into the wind simultaneously, but 3.1 miles is feeling better, so I need to find a 3.5 route and start making my runs longer so I can keep pushing towards 6.2. I also passed 70 miles for the year, today.

202 days to go.

I guess it's time for a career change, because not only is there no room for advancement here...here is closing. Maybe some day I'll actually find something I'm good at, or can at least finish. I guess that's why this race is so important to me. I know I can cross the finish line, unlike so many other things I've started in the past.

TPTB want to retain the benefits of having us on base (141 Flight School certificate) without retaining us, but when the personnel goes, so does the certificate. That will be explained in a meeting on Wednesday, the day after Col Keasley comes to our safety meeting to tell the membership why she hates us she's closing the Aero Club. Leadership continues to fail to see the big picture consequences of their actions.

Windy and Warm

Finally got back up to a full 5K run again. I wore my new cold weather running socks but they were almost too warm. There were a couple of times I had to really fight through to keep running, but my legs felt strong and just kept taking small steps. It's always different when I get close to home because I know I don't have to conserve my energy anymore and can just run.

205 days to go

President's Day

Took the holiday at work...then went to work for a couple of flights. Clouds were really low, so we had to stay low on the way south. Finally broke out and climbed into the clear, then completely clear on the route back.

Walked at the park, plus ran about 2 miles. Started to get a little uphill practice.

207 days to go.

Less sick

Was able to run 2 1/2 miles this afternoon. I pushed through, but was pretty tired afterward, so I ended up taking a little nap before I went to work for some flight planning and a night flight.

208 days to go

Sick

Not a great week. Had trouble finishing 2 miles on Tuesday, then I woke up Wednesday with a sore throat and achy muscles (not run-achy, sick-achy). I took a couple of days off but the weather was so nice on Friday that I tried to run and was able to do a mile and a half, but I realized what the problem was. It wasn't just that my energy was down, my cold was making breathing more difficult so I end up breathing too shallow, which I think was also causing my side stitches because I hadn't had that problem before until this week. I finally went to the store and bought some cold medicine. I hope next week is a little better.

5-ish K

Ran another 3.1 miles. Was really having to push myself, and ended up walking 45-60 seconds uphill with less than a 1/2 mile left just to catch my breath, so I could push myself to run the rest of the way.

214 days to go

Indoors

Ran inside at the gym this morning. Ran more than 3 miles with a little walking between each mile. That's 13.6 miles for the week.

216 days to go.

Snow

About 1/2-mile into my run this morning I started noticing the tiny snowflakes. The size and frequency continued to increase the longer I was out. I felt pretty good for my first mile. I kept a slow pace and was breathing easy. In the second mile when I was in the park, though, I kind of psyched myself out. I kept thinking about slowing to a walk, but I fought through it. I did, however, end up taking the short way home for a 2 1/2-mile run instead of 2 3/4 or 3.

One foot in front of the other

Ran 2 3/4 miles today, but had to slow to a walk twice. Not my best day. I might take a rest day tomorrow so I can try a longer run Saturday morning. Still trying to get into shape...not sure why some days are easier than others. Looking forward to the day when 3 miles is a short run.

Sometimes my right foot drags a little when I get tired. I wonder if my right leg is a little longer, because my left foot doesn't usually drag.

Shorter run

Only 2 1/4 miles today. Feeling a little tired.

5K

Finished my first unofficial 3.1-mile run today. Added a lap around the park to my 2.5 (which is really more like 2.59)-mile route. 220 days to go.

Good Morning

I figured I would sleep in this morning and let my body rest, but Zoe insisted that we get up at 7:00 so she could eat. I didn't have to be at church to learn The Ohio State Battle Cry for Superbowl service until 9:00, so yep, I ran another 2 1/2 miles before breakfast. That's 6 runs in 7 days and more than 14 miles in a week.

221 days to go

Last Minute

I didn't think I'd have time to run today, but the weather was bad so work closed early and had enough time to run 2 1/2 miles and shower before going to see The Descendants. Ankle is better.

Frost on the Grass

This is the first time I've ever set my alarm clock earlier than I needed to so I could run in the morning. It was 30 degrees when I left and there was still frost on the grass by the time I got home. I started off a little slower than yesterday and was still feeling strong going up the hill after the 2-mile mark (usually I start to get tired around 1.5 miles). It was like my legs were on autopilot and I was able to pick up the pace a little until I got home, then about a 5 minute cool-down walk. Pretty easy to cool down when it's in the 30s...just took off gloves and headgear. I also ran without the thermal shirt I had on yesterday. It that helped. I probably got a little to warm yesterday.

Today was also my first run with my second pair of Reebok Realflex...I know, I know...Mark, do you really need a second pair of identical shoes? Well, I justified two ways. I didn't pay for the first pair, so it's buy one get one free for me (both pairs were on sale). The new pair is a pretty similar color scheme, but instead of white mesh, it has grey suede with very little added weight. I was right that this pair keeps my toes from getting cold the way my first pair allows. I ordered them online to pick up in the store (free shipping) but they never called me to tell me they were there. I called and found out they had already arrived and had time to pick them up since I had a cancel one of my 4 flights yesterday due to the clouds.

My left ankle had some slight discomfort this morning, but I'm sure it wasn't the shoes. I ran out of glucosamine pills for my joints, so that's going to be a priority today. 224 days to go.

Groundhog Day

Ran 2 miles. Saw my shadow.
I was a little tired. I think I started off too fast.

225 days to go