Running

I haven't been on here for a couple weeks.  I thought about writing something last Friday but I only had 15 min and didn't think I could crank out a decent post. (Not that any are good, but I try.)  ; )

I ran hills on Saturday a week and a half ago.  My first hill repeat workout in 2 years, it went better than expected.  I ran 10 hills at a little faster pace than my first ever hill workout over 2 years ago.

Interesting to look at that, it says my distance is close to half a mile farther, but there were more steps on the shorter distance.  But it's the average pace that is surprising to me.  I ran .39 miles farther, but in only a min longer. 

On Sunday I ran 7 miles.  I have found a 7 mile route that I like a lot, it combines my daily route with my long run route, and for whatever reason, right now, that makes me happy.  I especially like running along the river, and I've traditionally only done that on my long runs.  =)

Plus it was super sunny.  Cold, but sunny, and I love the sun.  =)  I do kinda wish it was warmer though. . .

Tuesday I went for a 3 mile run after work.  Even if I'm getting home at 5:30, the sun sets right about that time, so I'm running in the dark.  I was close to home and started crossing the road in a spot I don't normally cross (no crosswalks, and no driveways).  I took a step or two in some grass and then slam, I was in the road on my face.  My foot caught the curb and I was on the ground wondering why I was on the ground before I realized I had fallen.  I hit HARD.  I could feel my knee, elbow, and hip bruising up, I thought I hit my knee the hardest, but after a few days it became obvious that my elbow hit first and very hard. 

That picture doesn't really do my injuries justice, my knee is still blue (a week later) and my left elbow still bothers me if I don't have a bandaid on the scrape, oh, and is very tender to touch.  My hip is pretty much better, and my right elbow still has a scrape, but the bruise is gone. 

But I went for another run on Thursday, another 4 miles. 

This was Thursday after wearing a belt all day, it definitely made the bruise worse. 

Saturday was COLD and windy.  I asked Damian to come home so I could run around 11am, then changed my mind after watching the trees blow around in the backyard.  So I was sitting on the couch feeling nice and toasty, enjoying my book . . . and started thinking about my stupid goals.  Hill repeats every Saturday . . . damn it!  So I got on my treadmill and tried to imitate hill repeats.  0.15 miles on a setting of a 9 incline and a 7 speed (having no idea how fast or how steep that is), then 0 incline with a speed of 2 and 3 for 0.15 miles.  Repeat 10 times.  It was definitely slower than outside, but I did it.

Then Sunday came.  Again, I was sitting on my couch all nice and comfy and snow started falling.  If you've read my blog for long, then you know I love the snow, and I love running in the snow.  However, I hadn't had anything to eat, and no water, just coffee.  So I ate, drank water, and then it melted.  =/  Then we needed to go grocery shopping, then I needed to eat lunch, then we had our tax appt, and then it was too late.  (I totally could have squeezed it in after eating before taxes.) But I had taken Monday off to go hiking with Damian, so I thought that I'd just run before we hike.

Which I did.  7 miles.

Accidental picture of my leg.

And then Damian and I decided it was too cold to go hiking, so we didn't. 

Yesterday I debated on running all day.  I didn't want to.  I usually take a rest day the day after a long run, but it was Tuesday, and I run on Tuesday and I have a hair appt this evening.  So I went for a run . . . and immediately remembered why I don't run the day after a long run.  My legs were tired.  I was slow.  And it was COLD!  But I ran, because . . . it's Tuesday.