A LOVE for the run

Run Distance: 12 miles, Run Time: 2 Hrs, 4 min

So this was my 2nd long run this week. Monday I had to make up for last week's missed long run. Anyways, this run went WAY better than Monday's 11 miler. I was a little afraid that the weather was going to be hot. The weather people said it was going to be 89-90 with some humidity. Well by mid-day they were saying that the evening would be in mid-upper 80's with manageable humidity. I can do heat okay...it is the humidity that kills me. When I heard lower humidity, I was jumping on the outdoor long run bandwagon (I was originally going to attempt to hide from the weather on the 'mill). Anyways, so the weather actually turned out to be awesome. No humidity and a nice breeze. It was warm, but not to the point where you can't breathe. The start of my run was a little awkward because it was my first time out with the new hydration belt. I originally had the bottled resting on my back but then after taking two steps with it that way and realizing that it was impossible to run with it on my back, I decided to move the bottles to my front. I felt a bit odd at first but after awhile it was all good. My pace was about 9:47 through much of the run. I had a few points where I walked so I could drink some water but for the most part I kept a good pace. Not once did I feel extremely sore like I did on Monday. I felt like I probably could have ran another mile or 2 but with my half marathon next week, I knew it was best to do what my plan said. Anyways, it is runs like these that make you love running. I will fully admit that my 11 miler on Monday would have made me say something entirely different. But I love a good run. Anyways, that is the story of my blissful 12 mile run. Now I have 1 week until my half marathon!!

Running in a Storm: Not Suggested

Friday Run Distance: 5 miles Friday Run Time 41 minutes

Saturday Run Distance: 3 miles Saturday Run Time: 25 minutes

Sunday Run Distance: Unknown (3 miles??) Sunday Run Time: 30 minutes?

The good news: Friday's run was amazing. I was scheduled for a tempo run and somehow I ended up running at a pace of 8:15 for 3 miles. (Mile 1 and 2 were supposed to be warm up/cool down but somehow I still ended up running at a decent pace for those too). But anyway, I was very happy about the 8:15 min/mile.

Saturday's run was great as well. Woke up early so that I could get a 3 mile run in before the busy day.

Now Sunday...I was supposed to get an 8 mile run in. It was kind of gloomy and stormy all day and so when it finally got a bit sunny out...I decided to head out. Well prior to my leaving, I saw "severe weather" alerts on the tv. I shrugged it off because so often those alerts don't really mean severe weather in your area. I took off running and noticed some really nasty looking clouds in the distance and some lightening. I was at Andy's house and I haven't ran over there yet so it was a challenge in itself just to make sure that I remembered my journey so I could easily return. Luckily, Andy had suggested I take my phone. I actually ended up needing it anyway because I had forgotten my Nike + receiver after charging it and thus couldn't figure out mileage. Anyhow...I'm headed out and as I saw the clouds I kept battling with "Should I go back, it is lightening," to "but Alien says that it's nice to run in the rain". And so I was waiting for the sprinkle drops, not really thinking about a major storm. But I kept on running for a good 20 mintues. But then, eventually the sky started to look really scary and I heard sirens going off in the town over. So I headed back. I texted Andy to let him know that I was headed back so that he could come find me if I didn't return within a reasonable timeframe. Just as I turn the corner onto Andy's street...it pours. And I mean...not just a sprinkle. The street was flooding beneath my feet and my running shoes were soaked. Then the hail started in...Yes...hail...pelting my back! Andy called me and all he could hear was "ahhhhh!" So finally I made it Andy's house...soaked and looking like a wet dog. About 10-15 minutes later baseball sized hail was falling. I'm quite lucky I wasn't stuck in THAT. I'm pretty sure I would have been knocked out and on the side of the road somewhere.

Lesson Learned: Do not run when the skys are turning dark.

Oh and on a side note...there was a tornado that touched down a few towns over. (And if you've see the national coverage...one that touched down about 20 miles away that devestated the town of Hugo.

Needless to say...I didn't get my 8 mile run in. But I'm sure to get it in this week because I've rearranged my schedule to have my long runs on Wednesdays to avoid the hassle of fitting it into a busy Sunday.