I Haven't Forgotten You!

I haven't posted in DaYsss.  But I didn't forget you.  I even took some pictures for you.  I was traveling for work and just didn't take the time to post. 

You'll have to pardon my finger.  I was running, ya know.

Tuesday, I took a run through downtown Nashville.  It was pretty nice.  The weather was great, much warmer than I expected actually.  I ran through downtown, across the bridge over the Cumberland River, around the Titan's Stadium, and back.  I had some uphills on the way back and could certainly tell that I haven't been training on any hills.  Whew.  (I walked some of the hills, but don't tell.) 

Then yesterday, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill doing "speed work."  I pushed myself pretty hard but was really glad to just be running 3 miles.  I felt O.K. while running last night, though my shins and calves were hurting a bit.  However, I woke up this morning to excruciating pain on the inside of my right foot just below my ankle bone.  I have NO *Idea* what has happened.  I seriously can barely walk this morning.  Though I finally figured out that if I walk on the outside of my right foot, it's not as painful.  I'm at a complete loss on this one.  I have no idea what the problem is or what caused it.  I just pray pray pray that it goes away SOON, like today!  I feel like a lame horse that can't put it's foot down.  It's really awful. 

So here's to hopefully a quick foot recovery! 

How Many More?

Iiiiiiii didn't run today.  My right quad is crazy sore.  I'm not sure what's up.  It feels like I strained it a bit.  But I can't imagine how, other than by playing soccer with my nephew.  But I don't recall it hurting ever until Sunday morning; and then I could hardly walk. 

I thought in theory that I might run today.  But work required lateness today and I was super hungry.  So I did not push it.  But I will run tomorrow.  I actually have to travel for work tomorrow and Wednesday but I'm planning ahead and planning when I will run.  Hopefully, it will actually work out just as planned and I will actually do it!

I had a most wonderful weekend, which I am still reeling off of.  Here's a little snapshot of my weekend:

My Last Long Run 'Til the Big Day!

Today I did my last long run until Secret City!  I ran 10-miles today and it went pretty well, I am *Pleased* to report.  It was/is a *BeaUtiful* day.  I waited 'til mid-morning to go run.  My brother's munchkins are in town so I waited 'til they went down for a nap..... for two reasons; 1) to procrastinate and 2) to let it warm up a little bit. 

The run went really well for the most part.  I was not concerned about how fast I was running whatsoever.  I didn't look at my watch for the entire run past 2.5 miles.  I tried to run better than a "i-might-as-well-be-walking" pace and I think I did for most of it.  With three miles to go I felt like I was at that "i-might-as-well-be-walking" pace.  It took me one hour and forty-eight minutes to finish the run.  Which is really slow, but who cares.  I didn't have to walk at all unlike last week.

My knees hurt quite a bit at the end but I pressed on and took some ibuprofen after my run.  All was well with just two weeks to go. 

I had plenty of time to just think during my run.  And so I did.  I thought about everything from Christmas presents to cows.  I'm looking forward to Christmas and already picking out some presents.  I thought about my cows and how much I do love them.  My friend Rachael, who runs her family's dairy, inspires me every day to be the cow loving girl I was born to be.  There's nothing better than good farmgirls.

I'm excited for the next two weeks.  Super excited to see my Secret City girls!!!

I can't concentrate much on this blog as I am being given vocal and dance performances by my niece and nephew.  It's incredibly precious.  Hate you're missing it!

Lame!

Ahhhh!!  I was totally lame today!  It didn't even rain!  It was beautiful.  I knew I should have stopped working and ran while it was light out.  But I wouldn't.  I kept working.  Then it got dusk.  Then I thought, maybe I'll run on the treadmill.  Then mom called and said she made a big dinner.  And then I came home and had a Mich Ultra.  Tisk Tisk.  I really am sad at myself.  I should have ran.  Soooo should have ran!

Tomorrow is another day.  I shall star anew.  Only *Two*Weeks* to go!

Treadmill Schmedmill

Today it rained.  So I retreated to the dumb treadmill.  And I did not kick its black belt tail.  I could only suffer through 4.5 miles today.  And some of that I walked.  But when I walked, I did walk on a Super D-Duper incline.  Daddy says its supposed to rain tomorrow too.  I don't particularly mind the rain, it's just that I don't like to run in it.  But I don't like to run on treadmills either.  But I Have to run tomorrow since I didn't run Monday or Tuesday. 

But little people are coming to see me tomorrow!  Wooo Hooo!  And I can finally get rid of my halloween candy by pawning it off on the little people whom my brother has to spend 3 hours in the car with :)

18 Days To Go

I can do this.  I can do this! Eighteen days left.  And I only have about 10 more runs to go!  But honestly, I'm having a hard time getting "pumped up" about the big day or the remaining of my training for that fact.  I can do this!!!!  I Will do this. 

After taking *3* days off (shamefully), I ran 5-miles today.  It took me 48 and a half minutes.  It was pretty hard.  But I suppose I should have expected that after taking 3 days off.  During my run I tried to think about the ways God has blessed me this week.  My small group asks this every week.  It seems like it should be a pretty easy answer.  After all, I am incredibly blessed with a great family, great friends, great job, great church, a great life in all.  But when you get to the specifics of how God blesses you from day to day, it makes you think harder instead of just stating generalities.  It definitely kept my mind of the difficulties of today's run and on positive things.

Back to it tomorrow.  There's a hard few days of running ahead of me for slacking the first of the week.

Ohhh Sheesh

I've been lazy.  Horribly, lazy.  Well, today I blame my bosses.  Sunday and Monday.... not so much.  Sunday was my recovery day.  Monday, I was Just lazy.  I had a duty to the trick-or-treaters!  Of which I had a Grand Total of 1, uno, eins, one.  So I ate 9 Reece Cups myself.  The price of peanut butter is going up ya know.  I needed to get my nutty intake somehow. 

Shush.  I needed them.  I did!!

Not.  And so today, I was going to run For Sure.  But I got stuck at the office until 7:30 and had a 40-minute drive home.  I know.  I totally should have ran regardless.  I didn't.  Uuuughhhh.  (I'm flailing my arms out to my side right now in that i.know.i.should.have.but.didn't.and.am.really.sorry sort of way.)

I'm only hurting myself.  I know, I know.  And I'm in for it.  Grrrrrr.