Shallowater Stampede Pics

:)

Sept. 17th

So, good overall week last week. 21 miles. Not bad, still working on adding mileage. I unfortunately didn't get any running done this weekend because I was preoccupied with the Austin City Limits Music Festival which was AMAZING! But I'll be up early tomorrow for a run.

The Arcade Fire had a brilliant performance, as did Amos Lee. I also really liked seeing Andrew Bird. Those were probably my top 3 performances, although the whole thing was awesome.

I'm considering making this blog more all inclusive, still with a running emphasis but also perhaps including other issues. Because all of life is a marathon, anyway, and I don't want this to be just a training log. On the other hand I'm kind of hesitant to put really personal stuff up in a public space, which was why it was nice to just isolate it to running. I don't know for sure, I'm just thinking about it.

sept. 11th

Today I had a great run. It started solo for a mile, I walked with a friend for awhile, then ran 4 more with my sister. All before the sun was up! I've finally gotten over being sore from the race on Sunday, which happened because I pushed myself a little harder than I have been. Today was the first morning in the 50s, so it was nice and cool throughout. A nice change from summer running. Pretty soon I'll be wearing gloves and ear warmers..............

On Sunday I ran about 3.5 miles in the rain. It was the first time I had run in the rain and it was actually kind of nice, except for the squishy shoe factor. I wanted to run further, but I was pretty sore and tired from the previous day.

shallowater stampede

I had a great race today! Actually, I finished last in the 10K....but my time was 1hr 5 min, which is about a 10 min/mile pace, which is good for me. And I enjoyed the course- out and back and flat, with good support. They had cookies, bananas, and bagels for us afterwards and plenty of gatorade and water in between. It was a lot of fun to be in a race again. :)

Shallowater!

No run today, but I'm signed up for the Shallowater 10K tomorrow! So exciting.

Yay!

Getting pumped about White Rock. Here's a bit of nostalgia from last year's race:

Still no major knee issues! I'm beginning to think it really is better!

It's so exciting to finally be back to calling 3miles an easy run. I've been doing GREAT on my training schedule- 5:30 AM is a lot easier when you know there's NINE other people waiting for you, which is what happened today. We don't meet until 6, but the meeting spot's exactly 1mile from my house, so I get 2 extra miles in by waking up a bit early.

5:30 AM used to be obscene hour for me, one I was only conscious for if it had been a really amazing night. I certainly never began a day at that time. It's so worth it though, to start of the day in such a great way, with great people. It really helps me focus for the rest of the day, too.

I've noticed that on sleepy days, where nothing starts to get done until after 10, I'm much less productive and much more tired than on days I get my ass out of bed and begin the day with something productive and challenging. It's the law of inertia.

Today I went on about a 5mile route that I had never done before- I explored a park I didn't even know was there and ran through gardens just when the sun was high enough to sprinkle through the trees and turn the path and shadows a beautiful amber color.

Usually I don't run on Sundays, because Saturdays are my long run days (yesterday we ran 7 miles at the usual place). But, I love the new running group I've found and they go everyday, and I couldn't resist meeting up with them this morning. Their "easy" pace is equivalent to my moderate pace, so I think running with this group is a great challenge and opportunity to get faster and stronger. My knee feels healthy, too, so I don't feel too bad about it.
25 miles for my total this week. Not bad.