It is pathetic how sore I was after yesterdays run.    My thighs were making themselves known to me all afternoon and this morning.  They say you can take a week off with no real harm but that apparently applies to people much much fitter than myself.   This theory was reinforced today by the picture below.  Seriously, what kind of talent does it take to kick yourself while running?

Today,  I succeeded where I did not yesterday and completed a full 4 miles.  And yes, this did involve running the street at the bottom of my driveway an extra time.  Other than that, I ran the exact same route as yesterday and was able to take 3 minutes off my time.  Woo hoo!     I still had to use a few walking breaks.   Normally, I wouldn’t take water for a 4 mile run but I did yesterday and today.  In the past whenever I have been sick, my cough tends to linger for a few months.  Nice, right?  So I will be taking water with me on every run now and especially to the gym.  I get to be the creepy person with the creepy cough now.  🙂   I apologize to everyone in advance.

My run felt pretty good today.   Other than kicking myself coming down a hill at one point, it was a happy run.  Well, there was a creepily parked van at one point, but they were just lost, I hope.    After my run, I walked a bit and stretched out.  My mom hasn’t been feeling well, so the plan was for me to take Zoey on a walk after my run.

We made it just over a mile.   I actually thought it was less than that but Google maps says 1.2 miles, so yeah!   This was the first time she’s ever been on a walk without my mom and I think she was having separation anxiety.    I was literally pulling her at numerous points.   She would walk 10 yards and sit down, I’d finally get her going and we would start the process over.    About half a mile in, a runner passed us and Zoey was eager to follow her.  I asked her why she wouldn’t even walk for me but would run with a stranger.  The runner thought that was hilarious, and I realized I was having a full on one-sided conversation with a dog.   We made it to a nearby elementary school before turning around.  I managed to kick the same spot on my ankle again as well.

Once she figured out we were headed back to the house, she was the perfect running companion.   We did the return half mile in 1/4 of the time it took the first.    In the end she was very excited to see my mom.    Hopefully, next time we will get a little farther!

My goal this week is to get back on track with my training plan.  I am giving myself until next weekend to see I will be half marathon ready by February 15.   If yes, then I will register, if not, well I found a 10K and a 15K on the same day 30 miles in the other direction.  So a race will be chosen by next weekend.  🙂

How was everyone’s weekend?

Any dog running tips? I so want to be able to borrow her for runs.

• animal encounter
• Run!