A breath of fresh air

Will wondered why we weren't going home when I veered right to add on another mile.  So I just added just a half a mile more, which was fine.  My highs were bothering me again.

I ran by myself.  The weather was wonderful.  As I ran by the university's cross-country's facilities, there were a few cross-country teams out walking the course for the meet tomorrow.  It looked like mostly Iowa schools.

I played tennis with my husband.  I was out of breath quicker than a month ago, but my tennis skills had improved.

I ran with Katrina and Erin. I wasn't as achy after this run.  I am looking forward to next Saturday's race.

Will and I had a pretty good run.  Will enjoyed the long cat-tail like piece of grass I broke off for him.  He waved it and let it drag on the ground.  He also kept asking me if I could hear the birds, too.

It takes Will and I a half an hour to get out the door, but I think I'll miss our runs.  The weather is getting colder and Will is getting older.  I can't believe two years of jogging stroller runs have already past us by.

I'm thinking of driving over to the indoor track first thing Tuesday and Thursday mornings to run/walk.

Will and I biked to the park today--about five miles round trip.  The first time I stood up as we were climbing a hill, I had some crazy stretching pains in my lower abdomen.  Those aren't my favorite.  They tend to happen when I stand up too quickly.  Overall, the hilly bike ride went well.

I am very excited about tomorrow's race!  I know I can run four miles and I know the view will be beautiful.

I got to the race only eight minutes before it started.  I ran down the hill to grab my bib and run back up.  By the time I made it back up the hill, I had time to hand my shirt to my husband, chat a second with a friend while I pinned my bib, and then... we were off.  (Lars said he and Will "ran" after us for about five minutes.  Will loves to run.)  As soon as I started running, I knew I was in trouble.  I had to go to the bathroom.

The first two miles I spent watching runners and looking for a good patch of trees.  The two miles went by quickly and at the turn around there was a port-a-potty!  As I made my way towards it, I asked the volunteers if anyone was in it.  No.  I was excited.  This won't take long!  But...it was LOCKED!  Ending up a fisherman was using it.  So the stop took a bit longer than I thought.

I lost the runner I was gunning for.  "Pinky" I called her.  She had a pink shirt and ended up being a ten miler.  While I was looking for another runner to try to catch, I passed a few people.  And then I found her, "Greenie."  She was wearing a green shirt.  I finally passed her about a half a mile away from the finish line.  "Greenie" made me smile when she cheered when we made it to the top of the hill.

The last half a mile was tough.  I started to feel incredibly sick.  I even thought, "I don't think I've ever felt this sick during a race."  But once I saw I was 200 yards way from the finish, I didn't worry about being sick.  I knew I was almost done.

As I crossed the finish line, I saw 37:06.  I figure the port-a-potty trip took at least a minute. So, I was very pleased with my nine minute miles.

The race was so fun.  During the last mile and a half, I thought about my Thanksgiving race.  Why should I decide now to walk it?  Why not try to keep running through the rest of October and November?  Six months between races is too long.

Today was not a fun run.  Will and I were running up to a friend's house to pick up some cookbooks.  I called up the friend and told her to expect us in twenty minutes.  I shouldn't have called until Will was in the jogging stroller.  I couldn't get Will to get into the jogging stroller for twenty minutes.  When I finally started running, my shins/ankle/calves were sore from the race.  Because I was late, I ignored the pain and ran as quick as I could up the hill.  Will complained the whole way.  It wasn't fun, but I got the cookbooks.

Today was a successful day!  I got in my workout, although I was fighting it.  But, I did it and got it over with and felt great.

I also started sewing together a Double Irish Chain quilt top for my mom!  I've had the pieces cut for months.  I've been procrastinating because I've dreaded pulling everything out, ie sewing machine, ironing board, cutting mat, etc.  And then putting it all away.  I hope to get it done by Thanksgiving.

I got out the door and ran 3 by myself this afternoon.  And I actually felt normal during my run!  I've only had two normal runs since the beginning of August.  By "normal," I mean how I felt when I ran and wasn't pregnant--not extremely tired, not extremely slow, no terrible nausea, no achy hips, knees, and stomach muscles, and I didn't have to go to the bathroom the entire run!

It felt wonderful to have a normal run.

Today was a harder run.  I felt my stomach stretching the entire run and the achy hips and knees were back.  However, the run was worth it.  The bright yellow trees in the woods were beautiful and the weather was great: sunny and breezy.

I ran with Katrina on a route through all the tailgaters.  We got quite a few comments like, "Why are you running? You're supposed to be tailgating!" or "You're off to your tailgate in a hurry."  And we received quite a few honks.  Silly tailgaters!  We ran at seven in the morning!  The tailgaters were out in full force--already drinking and throwing bean bags.

Will and I had a much more enjoyable run this Monday verses a week ago.  Will cheerfully got into the stroller.  We had enjoyable conversations about the leaves falling and the round bails of hay we saw.  What a wonderful jogging stroller to end on.

With the weather getting colder, nxt Monday Will and I are going to the indoor track.  I am not taking the jogging stroller.  He'll be able to run and play.

So, thanks Will, for over two years of enjoyable runs.  You are a great training partner.

I did a half an hour of yoga.  I always feel like I am showing my body tons of love when I do yoga--especially lately.

I lifted again.  I focused on the core, arms, shoulders, and abs.  I did the plank instead of the laying on your belly part that was talked about on the video.

I enjoyed looking at all the beautiful colors, which was nice.  Because there were tons of slugs on the side walk.  It was better to try to think about them. 

When I got home I grabbed the camera and took some pictures of the leaves.

Erin and I ran this afternoon.   It was pretty windy, but still in the low 50s.  Today's run was tough.  I am going to have to slow it down a notch again.

Today was our first outing to the indoor track of the 2008-2009 winter season.  It went really well. Sarah N. and I were able to get in a good bit of running while our kids ate a snack.  But, I don't think we got in three miles.

I did another half an hour of yoga.  It felt good and it felt even better that I got it done.

We were back at the indoor track today.  I ended up walking the whole time.  Later while Will was playing at the playground, I did 72 lunges and some calf raises.  (It was a beautiful fall day.)  I felt better about my workout.

I ran three miles in the afternoon.  I felt okay.  There were lots of slugs on the sidewalk.