Will Run For Ice Cream

So I'm pretty much terrified of running in the dark alone. I've been telling myself that I was doing my long run this Wednesday morning. But last night I psyched myself out. I set my alarm for 5am and told myself I was getting on the treadmill. I'd never run more than 6 miles on the treadmill. I had to make 2 bathroom pitstops, but overall this was just a typical gut it out long run. I had sent a running buddy a text earlier and she text me back and told me to do either 9 or 11 miles for 9/11. I got it in my head to do 11 since I needed to run 2 hours today. I pushed the last mile a little too fast but I just wanted off! But Long Run completed for the day!

This is my drop back week... talk about perspective. I remember when I started running longer distances how 10 or even 8 miles seemed like a really really long way.  Now my 11.5 miler tomorrow doesn't seem so daunting. It was supposed to be 13, but my running buddy and I decided to pick up the pace on the last half of the long run. Since her plan calls for 11, and we are picking up the pace, I decided to drop mine back to 11.5. We plan to run the first half of the run as normal, slower easy pace. Make our midway pit stop (bathroom and refill any necessary water bottles). Then on the last half of the run (the goal) is to pick up the pace. I have plans for a spa day after this long run. So I am super excited for tomorrow.  

Today was my first Sunday Long Run with my new running buddies. One lady wasn't able to make it so there was just two of us today. I was a little nervous because I knew she wanted to run 15 miles. I would love to run 15 miles, but I didn't feel that I was quite able to do that just yet. Since my hip injury, my longest run has been 8 miles so far which was last weekend. And my longest run ever has been 11.1.  We started off at a fairly fast pace - or fast for me anyway. At 4 miles, our time was around 33-34 minutes. No wonder my lungs felt like they were going to explode! I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through the rest of the miles. Thankfully when we hit the hills we slowed the pace some, and I was able to catch my breath (a little). I guess now would be a good time to mention that my new running buddy is in her early 50's and she kicks rear. I know that she was slowing it down for me today.  After the 3.1 mile loop of hills, my body was screaming, but I...

I ran my first 11.1 miles on Saturday. I had mapped out a 9 mile route. But after getting ready to go run on Saturday, I told myself that I was going to do an extra loop and make it 11. The weather was gorgeous. I’m surprised that I’m not more sore today. I expected to be really stiff. Maybe it helped that after I ran, I was on my feet cleaning the house all day. So far no issues with the knees, although I do plan to ice them tonight. My pace was slow. It was a little over a 12 minute mile. But I am pleased with myself that I did it. I am fairly confident that I will run the half marathon in September. So this run boosted my confidence which I really needed.