Just A Little Catching Up To Do

We've had a few runs since our last post. It was a bit of an off week. I'm not really sure why. I just felt a little wonky and out of sorts for a few days. I don't know how to explain it. We still got several runs. Tuesday, I didn't feel the greatest, but I wanted five miles. We got four and a half before the throbbing of my head with each step was just about too much to bear. We were both slowing down anyway. We were almost home. It was sixty plus degrees. Maybe that was it. 

We went out again on Friday. This time we got the five miles. I wore my "fast" shoes. I was sure I was going to regret it because they don't support my feet the same and I didn't think I should wear them running longer distances. (I know. Five miles isn't really a "long" distance, but I was still hesitant.) I keep forgetting why I call them my "fast" shoes. I could feel the difference in my ability to move my feet. My speed wasn't actually faster than in my other shoes, but it just felt different.

Fast forward to today, where rain and storms threatened our chances of getting out. It was windy, but not raining. It was still sixty degrees, but without the sun blasting down, it was comfortable. Five and a half miles today. Henri needed it. He was pretty focused. Less stops and sniffs, more 'Come on, let's go!' 

It will take us a bit to get used to the warmth and by the time we figure it out, it will be cold again. Luckily, that's our sweet spot. Who am I? What am I saying? 

Runs this year: 21

Miles run this year: 91

Sweetheart Run

On Valentine's Day, of course, Henri and I participated in FitFam's Virtual Run, The Sweetheart Run. Yes, I ran with Henri. Who else would I run it with, really? This year though, being as that we had a goal of running 10k by my birthday, I signed us up for the 10k. I kinda planned on doing them both together, but then I decided by Birthday 10k and The Sweetheart Run should have their own days, so we ran another 10k, because we can do that now.

The weather was much better for The Sweetheart Run. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, there was no wind, so we pushed to get it done in under an hour. Guess what? We did it! I knew we could! Time 57:15. Pretty good for a second time running one! The best part? Running it with Henri. Can't you just feel the love?

There was also a scavenger hunt to go along with the run, which we completed. Here are our findings:

[X] A rose(s) - On my running tights (That I got for my birthday! So Pretty!)

[X] A kiss - From the boy

[X] Flag or signage with a heart(s) - Hearts and roses!

[X] The number '14' - It's really weird to try to take a picture of someone elses house

[X] A lovely couple of things - Aw! Flamingos in love. Henri, leave them alone!

Check and Check. Another FitFam Virtual Run, done! Thanks for challenging us, giving us a fun run and sweet medals don't hurt either :) Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Runs this year: 19

Miles run this year: 81

Redefining "Little"

We took a few days off to recover and celebrate our 10k. Henri was ready to get out again today. I mean, I was, too. I want to try to do another six tomorrow, so I thought we'd just do a little four, four and a half (Funny how that is "little" now). We are having some unseasonably warm weather here in Central Illinois, so it's pretty easy to spend the time outdoors.

This run had it's moments, both good and not so good. Hopefully, we stretched our muscles out a little bit to be able to push tomorrow, but we'll see. I hit my goal, so I can be a little more lax if my body just doesn't feel like it can do it that day. For today, I made my body do it anyway. We'll see if I regret it tomorrow.

Runs this year: 16

Miles run this year: 72

Birthday 10k

No matter what, I was getting this run in today. I was not going to come up even one day short. Yes, there was snow and ice on the sidewalks. Yes, it was really windy. It was also 50 degrees. Also, my birthday. The goal was 10k by my birthday and that's what was going to happen. 

Honestly, I felt sick right before running. The 'I'm about to do something big and important', nervous, excited, sick. Six miles isn't really that big of a deal, but it was a goal for this year and we were about to do it. It felt pretty good. I counted down the miles as they ticked by on my watch. "Down to five." "Only four." "We do three all the time." "Halfway there." "Two left." "One more." "Half a mile. Don't stop now." "Quarter of a mile. Push!" I tried to get it done in under an hour. I pushed as hard as I can the last two minutes, but we came up 26 seconds long. Considering the small bits of slush we slowed down for and the wind we ran into for two of the back half, I'm okay with it. We'll beat it next time.

Now, to get comfortable in this distance and start working on ten miles. Ten might not happen until the fall, but it's a goal, so it will happen.

Also, Henri was so tired by the time we took this picture. Then he got a little boost because he knew we were going home. Now he's sleeping it off next to me. Mission accomplished.

Runs this year: 15

Miles run this year: 67.5

How YOU Doin?

I wasn't sure we were going to make it on that one, but five more miles down!

Our run started off a little rough. I couldn't get my legs moving, or at least it felt that way. Garmin watch to the rescue! I wasn't going fast, but I wasn't going as slow as I felt. It really helped knowing that. I was feeling a little better once we got to the park (almost two miles in), so I pushed for an extra lap around. We hit three coming out, so I was pretty confident we could make it closer to five. I'm not going to say it was easy, but it had some good moments. I'm really just proud that we did it after almost six yesterday. We're going to get comfortable in this distance.

I have to share this picture from yesterday's run. Look at that ham, looking right at the camera as we run by! I was wondering what he was doing behind me.

Runs this year: 14

Miles run this year: 61.25

This Looks Like October

We've been wanting to go on this run since Friday, but we just weren't able to make it happen. I was determined to make it happen today. I charged our lights. I woke up early to do my other workout before work. I planned the shopping around getting out of work as quickly as possible, to make the most of the last light of day. Then, the birds chirping, sunny day turned grey and wet and foggy. That was not what the forecast had said the last time I had looked at it. I knew the fog and the dark was not going to be a good combination for getting our run in. It looked like I had been defeated, yet again.

What's that? You want me to leave work early today? Yes, I can definitely do that. The good thing about running in dreary weather is that no one else is out. While we would have enjoyed the sunshine from this weekend, we would have had to go by a lot of people, and probably a lot of dogs, making our progression towards our 10k a little slower and a little more challenging. Today though, we were able to run the full 5.75 without another soul. At least, I didn't see anyone out there. With the fog today, who knows.

Just a few more days till we run our first 10k! Just a few more days until my birthday! We're going to make it and I'm going to be able to keep it under an hour...unless my legs don't want to work.

Runs this year: 13

Miles run this year: 56.25

The Bright Side

It wasn't the run that I wanted it to be. I planned on four and a half to five today, but I got cramped up around two and a half, so we walked it off and started again, finishing with four. I didn't have to sit down or call for a ride home (The ride home has only happened once - occasionally I have to sit down), so I'll take it. There was a dog running off leash in the park, so I was watching him pretty closely to make sure he didn't come over to say 'hi'. My back has been pretty stiff lately, in turn making my knees hurt, but I'm stubborn, so, I run anyway. So, all in all, it turned out to be a pretty good run considering how badly it could have gone.

And, hey, there was a setting sun! Which means the sun had to be out in the first place. So, there's that!

Runs this year: 12

Miles run this year: 50.5