In That Mood

I'm in that mood that we all know of and tend to look forward to.  The mood where you can go out and get a decent run in and then you still want to work out.

In all honesty, I started today with a plan, but when do plans ever work out?  It's unfortunately too true with my life.  I was going to run and then spend the day with a friend who is moving soon.  Then yesterday I found out I had to get some stuff done with my car early this morning.  I thought I was going to have to cut my run short, but luckily I was able to get a nice 5 mile run in.

Then I was supposed to spend the rest of the day with my friend, ya, that's not happening now either.  In fact, I'm thinking a nap very soon sounds like an excellent plan.  Then I'm thinking about doing another 20min circuit workout like the one I did yesterday.  

Other than my knee being super tight (which it has been all week), today has felt good and I can't believe I'm seriously considering working out again.  I guess we can say, I'm feeling inspired. I'm going to use this time to my advantage.  I know the time will come where I don't want to do anything and that time is probably coming faster than I'd like to admit.  

It's Going To Be A Lazy Day...

It definitely didn't start as a lazy day, but the rest of it will be.  It's kind of sad I'm saying that and it's not even 10 AM yet!

I was able to get up and get out for a run just as the sun was coming up.  Florida's been pretty cool the last few days and I was completely ready to take advantage of it.  I got up without a goal in mind, tied my shoes, decided on the general route I wanted to take, and started to run.  I was out there for 1 hour 10 minutes and was able to run just over 7 miles.  My pace is definitely coming back, which I'm excited about, and when I do walk, I'm walking sub 16 minute miles.

I found myself getting into my running the farther I went.  My miles 3.5-6.5 were the best.  I just felt good and walked some, but not too much.  Eventually my calves started to get tighter and tighter.  They didn't stop me from running, but I didn't want to push them too far so I ended at 7 miles.

Here's the funniest thing though, my ankles actually hurt more when I'm walking normally than when I run.  Isn't that crazy? Running actually makes me feel better!

So now that my run is over, it's time for me to relax and enjoy my TWO days off!  Yes, that's right, after working 6-7 days a week for the last month and a half, I finally get two full days off!  I plan on taking advantage of them as well, and by that I mean relaxing and not worrying about anything...

Getting My Pace Back

After that long break I took, I wasn't at the speed, strength, or just overall fitness level I had been just weeks ago.  It was disheartening to be pushing so hard and not get the same results, but that's why I'm an athlete I push myself through the hard times to get to the good times (no matter how much complaining I'm doing).

This last week has definitely been a challenge trying to get back into shape, but I am getting there.  Already, I'm seeing progress and it's only been 3 runs and a few circuits since I was working more and exercising less.  I'm happy to say my pace is coming down again, the distance is going up, and overall I'm feeling better.  Yes, I'm still walking some, but especially on my last run, I think that's due more to outside factors (I ran like 30 min after I ate... not a good idea for someone who doesn't normally eat before working out).

I know I'm still running uphill to get to my old pace, but that's fine.  I have time to do it and because I am making improvements, I'm excited again to run.  Got the 10 miles I needed to run last week and now I'm playing catch up for the week before, but while that might take some time, eventually I'll catch up to my 10 miles a week average.

Surprising Myself

I have always been an advocate of running in the mornings.  I've never really liked running or even working out in the evenings just because I'm so tired from the rest of my day that I usually just pass out.

Today, I don't know... it was just different.  I got home and got my running clothes together before taking off on a run.  I set my Nike+ App to 2.5 miles because I knew that was the least that I needed to do for this run.  Well, I ended up getting 3.1 in.

I surprised myself on two fronts today.  The first being that I actually ran this afternoon and that I ran farther than expected.  I am definitely proud of myself.  Personally, this has been a great week.  My weight has been dropping pretty steadily and I've just felt good.

Considering today was the day 2 out of 13 days straight of work... I might not be singing the same tune next week.  We'll see though.  Maybe I'll continue to surprise myself.

The only surprise I wasn't happy with was the battalion of fire ants that showed up in my house this evening.  I have won the war... or at least the battle thus far.

Do You Plan? Or Just Go?

Today nor tomorrow are my run days, but Tuesday I have my "long" run planned.  I'm not sure how long it is actually going to be and that is what I'm debating currently.

I tend to go into runs with a plan.  I'll run this far for or try and get to this landmark.  I won't walk until whatever mile... etc...  You get my point, I have a plan.

It's actually kind of sad how often that plan dissolves within the first mile or two of my run.  Heck, there are even mornings that I don't even get out because I am just so tired.  There are days I'm still sore or my muscles are just tired and I end my runs earlier than I plan.  Then there are the really good days where I get out there and I just feel so good I run right past what I was planning to run.

That has been the case the last few weeks.  I got 5 miles in when I planned for 3.  And then I ran 7 miles last week when I only planned for 5.  However, I'm also well aware these feelings are fleeting at best.  I might get them a handful of times.  My last two runs haven't felt that great so I'm really not expecting too much from my run on Tuesday.

So I'm planning for a 5 mile run again, and we'll see how that actually goes.  Will I surpass that?  Give up early?  Or hit it exactly?

So what do you do?  Do you plan your runs before hand or do you just decide to get out there and see how far you can go?

Running Faster, Running Farther

I took most of the last week off from exercising because my mom had come to visit me and help set up my new house.  I was pretty much working 8 hours, and then spending the rest of the day with her.  To say I was exhausted would be an understatement.  However, it was a great weekend with my mom so even though I was really tired I was having fun.

Still, the busy weekend forced me to take a few days off from running and working out.  Today is my day off of work and while I plan on being lazy as much as possible, I still wanted to get some workouts in.  This morning I stepped outside as the sun was just starting to break the horizon and planned on a nice relaxing 5 mile run.  It didn't end that way...

It was just one of those days I felt better than planned and decided to take full advantage of that wonderful feeling.  I started with my normal route, took my normal breaks, but when I would have started to head home, I kept going.  I ended up running 7.03 miles.  I did have 3 breaks, but even those walking breaks were faster than in the past (sub 16 min pace).

Overall, I'm ecstatic about today's run and I'm happy I took full advantage of my time off.  Depending on how I feel this afternoon, I might do a quick Jillian Michael's workout and then relax this evening with a nice bubble bath.  I love my days off from work...