I had planned to get my long run in on Saturday morning before heading out to do a little shopping for the day.   My alarm went of at 6:35, my head hurt and it was still dark.  My phone said that sunrise was at 7:07 so I rolled over hoping the headache would go away.  A second alarm went off at 7:08 and my head was just pounding.   Bloody hormones and that’s all I’m going say about that; so I chose to sleep more.

I made myself face the day a little before 9.  I got ready and headed out for some retail therapy.   The plan was for window shopping, I didn’t really need anything.   It’s just fun to hit SLO and enjoy the weather and the shopping and the food.     The weather was great and the food was yummy as usual.  Shopping was actually very budget friendly.  🙂  I couldn’t even find anything to buy at Dick’s, it was sad!!!  I did buy Kimi a new blanket, and what does she do?  She sleeps in the bag instead!

Shopping ran later than planned, so I didn’t get out the door running until 4:30 so the long run was not an option.  Want to know a good way to run a Tempo run?  Try to beat the setting sun.  Great motivation.   My legs felt a little tired but it was a good run. Thanks to my persistent cough, I still had to take a few walk breaks.    However, it actually turned into a progression run instead of a tempo.   For once each mile was faster than the one before it.  Sweet!  I made it back to my driveway just as the sun was dropping behind the hill.  It may not have been what was planned but a solid 4 miles to end the day.

This morning I was planning on running yesterday’s 10 miler.  I had mapped out a route last night- from my driveway with lots of loops, finishing by running crosstown to the high school.  I was aiming to only have to do 1.5-2 miles on the track.   After that the plan was to meet up with my mom who was working on the tennis courts and she would give me a ride back.   Since I have been rather tired this week, still kicking that stupid sickness from last week, I figured I would aim for an 11:00 minute pace.  Get the distance in but take it easy.

I had a slightly later start than planned and then when I was trying to get out the door, I found out that my mom was heading to the courts sooner than planned.  Wait, she’s my ride home!!!  The first three miles of my run I was recalculating in my head.  Do I keep my route the same and just hope it takes her that long or do I throw in more loops and head back home.  That was when I noticed my time, mile 3 had me under 31 minutes.   Well, that was faster than I was aiming for.  So plan B, could I maintain that pace for all 10 miles?  I am faster in races but never before held that in a long training run.   It would only save me 10 minutes but that just might be enough.

Why do I live is such a hilly neighborhood?  Why did I plan my route by running one of the hills 3 times?  Granted it wasn’t the worst but still, I must be crazy.  I slowed down in mile 6 because while trying to get my long sleeved top layer off, I skillfully tangled myself in it.   🙂  Just call me Graceful.   After finishing all 3 loops, it was down to the bridge and across town.  I hate running across the bridge, it’s a little too on display for me.   Luckily its not huge.  After the bridge, there’s a few shopping centers and traffic lights before the last small hill and then the high school.   With the traffic lights, I was able to test out the auto pause feature on the Garmin.   Pretty cool but I felt like it was a little slow on the restart.   I made it to the track at 8.5 miles and finished out the 1.5.   And I was done, whew!  And thankfully, my mother had waited for me.

After lunch and grocery shopping, I joined my mother in walking the puppy.  It was supposed to be short, like a mile,  so I was rocking my new Wave Rider’s and skinny jeans.    Bad idea.  It turned into 2.5 miles and the puppy decided that she wanted to move fast today; she was dragging us.   Seriously, where was this dog last week?  I do not recommend jogging in skinny jeans without a proper sports bra, just don’t do it.  The shoes felt great though.  🙂   The evening was finished off by the whole family going to The Olive Garden for dinner, yummy.

Training wise, I didn’t do too bad this week.   29 miles out of a scheduled 34.  5 days running.  I still can’t do 6.   And some of the planned runs I am unable to fit in my schedule, so I am adapting it a bit.   Next week only has 5 scheduled days with my long run on Saturday,  That will have to be a 2-a-day, as my first race of 2014 is that morning!!  It’s a 5K that I am looking forward to.

Plus I hope to have some exciting news to share soon!!!  I am waiting on one last email to confirm, I always like to be doubly sure before sharing something important.  I am so excited!!!

How was everyone’s weekend?

What’s the most awkward clothing you’ve ever run in?

• Goals
• Run!