Getting A Little More Into It

We have had some decent mornings in central Florida, and I was hoping today's would be the same.  It was... sort of.  It was starting to get hot around around 7:00 when I left for my run, but it still wasn't too bad and there was a slight breeze.  I'm just hoping we don't completely fall back into a typical Florida summer weather pattern... I'm so sick of hot mornings.

Last week when I tried to run, 2 miles was a struggle.  I'm happy to report that I was able to hit 4 miles today.  The last mile was also a struggle, but it was double the distance of last week.  No, I will not be double my distance again next week, just adding one or two more miles.  I still have a month and a half to go to try and regain some of my endurance.

I have to say though, I'm so happy about my walking pace.  This year I really focused on keeping my walk below, or right around a 16 minute pace.  That is one thing I have constantly been successful with all summer.  I know that even if I can't finish Lumiere's Challenge by running, I should be far enough ahead, and my walk should be quick enough that I will finish regardless.

I'm still a bit nervous about the race.  I keep thinking it's next week, but I still have more time to get ready.  Of course we also have the Food and Wine festival starting, a family trip during the festival (which means lots of eating), and hopefully nicer weather will get here.  

I just need to keep reminding myself to stay positive, drink more water, eat a bit better, and trust myself.  I will get through this, I will finish my return to runDisney races, and eventually I will conquer all of my running goals!  One step at a time, one mile at a time!

Lucky 7

For the last few weeks I have been plagued by my inability to complete my 7 mile run.  I've hit 6 a few times, run multiple days in a row, but 7 miles has always had something come up that prevents me from finishing.  A hard night the night before, what seemed to be shin splint, life in general... all prevented me from getting to that 7 mile mark.

Yesterday I woke up not feeling well at all.  I stayed in bed for a few minutes to see if my stomach would calm down, but it just didn't want to.  I decided to just go out regardless and I wouldn't care about the 7 miles and just get out for a run.  A run is a run still, regardless of the distance.

I started my run before the sun even started breaking the horizon, even though I realized that was the most humid part of the morning.  However, when that dropped it felt great.  You want to know what else felt great?  Me!  My stomach wasn't the happiest, but didn't get in the way of my running all that much.  You know what that means?  I ran 7 miles!

It's amazing how even when you don't feel well you can do more than you think.  I definitely needed more water, was a bit shaky, but I did 7 miles and that put me on a high.  Plus I got to watch a beautiful sunrise and even saw a few armadillos.

After a relaxing ice bath at home and then relaxing I felt great.  I was able to walk later that night with my roommate and today I have no feelings of soreness in my legs.  That means I did a circuit workout with some pretty decent weights and it all felt great.

Now on to miles 8 and 9 I guess...

Wine and Dine Makes A Menu Change

This week runDisney has caused a bit of controversy.  It began Tuesday when they delayed the registration for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon by two weeks.  Tuesday was supposed to be the early registration day, but runners are now waiting till the 22nd (For Annual Pass and DVC members) or 29th to register for the race.

runDisney followers were already speculating there were changes coming sine runDisney had yet to announce any real details surrounding the traditional fall night run.  And sure enough... their speculations did hold some merit.

Announced today, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon has gone from a night race to a morning race and they added a 10k, thus starting a new challenge for the weekend.

First issue- Time Change  

From what I've read on runDisney's Facebook page and other disney fan sites, people really liked running through the parks at night and thought that made the run unique since it really was one of the few true night races in the country.  Yes it did make the run unique, and the yes the parks are lovely at night, however summer nights in Florida and wrought with thunder storms and other issues.  Wine and Dine weekend has seen two consecutive years with weather related issues.  Last year they had to delay and then shorten the race because of there weather!

The morning should limit whatever bad weather might be in store for the runners this year and future years.  Yes it might be like any other runDisney event now that it is held before the sun rises, but I'd rather see the race actually run in full than have to question the weather during it.  Plus I'm slightly biased to morning races regardless because I have always enjoyed running in the morning far more than at night.

Second Issue- 10k and Challenge

Ok, this really isn't an issue, it's an addition that has been rumored for a while since all of the other events have been paired with 10k and challenges.  The theme for the 10k is something with Chef Remy from Ratatouille and the challenge is themed around Lumiere which I find to fit the theme of the weekend quite well.

I have decided to run the challenge as well... mainly because it is a challenge and I really can't say no.  It does mean I really have to get serious for my training since I'll be doing a little bit more now, but I think I can handle that...

Good Morning!

I've always been an advocate for morning workouts and this morning was no different.  My trend has been changing since I work pretty early most of the week, but when I can, I'm all over the early morning workout.

Morning workouts just get me ready for the day.  It's like me screaming at my body "Good Morning!... It's time to WAKE UP!"  Luckily, my body does respond to the early morning wake up calls and I usually get really great workouts in.

Plus, I've always been an early riser (something I thank my parents and swimming for) so I can usually get through a pretty decent workout, clean up, and get most of my chores done before my roommate and the rest of the world wake up.  Of course, I'm then asleep in either the middle of the day or I'm going to bed earlier than most.

Now, most of my friends do think I'm crazy considering I workout and then go to a very active job.  I'm usually the one at work complaining about the few hills I have to walk up or just complaining about being sore.  Still, everyone is pretty supportive and amazed with my workout schedule and determination which is a really great environment for me to work in (if you want to call it work...).

Knowing When To Stop

I fell asleep early last night which made me wake up early this morning... Ya, I should have seen that coming, but it was all for the better.

I ended up running 7.56 miles this morning and it felt good... until about 7.25-ish.  That's when my legs died and my motivation plummeted.  The way I was feeling, I knew it was better to stop and finish the last .5 mile home walking than pushing it, completely dying, and possibly getting injured.

I think that's one of the most important things.  We're always pushing ourselves to go faster and farther, but we also need to know when it's time to stop.  If you go too hard or fall the chances of hurting do become a reality.  I believe that the constant self evaluation is key to knowing if you're good to continue or if you need to stop.

I had that issue during my first few half marathons where I ended up getting shin splints and I think it's a reason an ankle injury bothered me for so long.  Luckily, I had some amazing coaches and trainers who helped me get back on track.  Now I'm always monitoring how I'm feeling and if I can keep going.  Usually, I know it's just a wall or my body not wanting to work and I keep pushing.  Today was just a whole new feeling and I put on the brakes...

There are definitely times I wish I had listened to my body in the past, but we learn by making mistakes, right?

Early Morning Run

I've always been an advocate for morning runs and morning workouts, but this morning I really took what I say to an extreme.

It started yesterday when I thought about what I wanted to accomplish this morning.  I wanted to get at least 8 miles in, but the days have been getting hotter and hotter, quicker and quicker.  So I figured the best solution to my problem was to wake up early myself.

That's exactly what I did.  I woke up around 5:15 this morning, and after a few minutes of refusing to wake up, I finally started to move around.  I still wasn't too keen on getting moving, but I did.  However, it was one quote I found on pinterest that really got me ready for my run...

It just hit me for some reason and I was able to get out of bed, get my shoes on, and start my run.

I did end up getting my 8 miles in, 8.43 to be exact, and I was home before the sun really even got over the horizon.  Considering today is my day off of work, a nap is definitely somewhere in my future (possibly very soon).  Although the coolest thing I saw this morning wasn't the sunrise, but a shooting star I saw at the beginning of my run.  Yes, I made a wish on it... and no, I'm not going to share my wish.

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...

Back Into Training

My recovery week is over and it's time to get back out there and continue training.  This time it's for the Tower of Terror 10 Miler and the Food and Wine Half Marathon.  Both are at the end of summer, but knowing how busy work is going to get, how hot and humid Florida will be, and just my trends of laziness... it doesn't hurt to start training now.

I did run 2 miles 2 days after the race, but that was more to get everything moving and loose.  Today was a bit different.  I got a wonderful 5 mile run in before it started warming up.  Last week was hot in Florida, we've already reached 90 degrees on some days!  Today only has a high in the mid to high 70s but like I've said before... I'm a morning runner.

The run felt good and I was pleased with my speed.  The first half of my run was below the 9:30 pace mark and the second half of my run was right around 10 min, but that also included some walking.  Overall, I was happy with myself and the run.

Good Run Leads To A Good Day

Ok, so this rule doesn't always work, but it does quite often.  Whenever I have a good run, I tend to have a good day.  I get things done, I feel good about myself, and I just have general good outlook on the day.

Today was no different.  I had a pretty good run this morning and so far I've had a great day.   I ran just over 7 miles, and even though my calves were tight most of the time, it still felt pretty good.  Then I got some good stretching in and the shower felt wonderful (which they almost always do after running).  Then I got out and attacked the day. I got my car washed (well, enough that it's not embarrassing anymore), checked up on my house, and had a pretty good brunch.  The great thing is, I got everything done before noon!

Luckily, I'm getting my mornings back to work out starting this week so not only will I be able to work out on a more regular basis, but I see good days ahead.

Now that I've gotten everything I needed to get done, done... I guess I have time to relax and read.  It's pretty warm here in Florida so I'm thinking I might go read by the pool.  Yes I know it's January, but I'm not going to pass up good weather!

The Pro's to Running In The Morning

Running in the morning does involve a few hurdles to get over.  To begin with... you have to wake up... probably pretty early.  If you're actually able to drag yourself out of bed, you then have to face whatever the weather is.  Sometimes it's a foggy or raining morning, other times it can be a hot morning as the heat index has decided to climb out of control.  The final hurdle, at least for me, is figuring out how far I can run.

I take full advantage of the days when I have no work and usually have my so called longer runs on those days.  Of course right now that isn't too long, but I am still planning on changing that.  On days I do have work I can only run maybe 4 miles without waking up any earlier than I really want to.  The dilemmas of morning running...

Still, I would rather face all these issues with waking up early than have to run in the afternoon.  Now I have friends who run in the evening and get to go farther than me because they have no time restraints due to work.  Still, they have to wait till the evening till the temperatures get cooler before they can go out.

My other issue is... I almost never want to workout after work.  I want to crash on the couch or take a nap.  Working out is the last thing on my mind.  If I do have that itch, I'll be more than happy to workout in the afternoon.

Now I would understand how running and working out would be a great idea to wind down from a hard day at work, but I'd just rather have a quiet decompression period.  Even today, which wasn't the easiest day, I decided to take a nap to help get rid of a headache than workout to unwind.

Tomorrow's my day off so we'll see how far I get.  While I don't have work, I do have an unofficial meeting so I still might not get too long.  I'm hoping for at least 5 miles, but we'll see when the time comes.