Happy Friday!!  Wow, this was a long week.  But let’s catch up.  I stepped out of my comfort zone in very little ways this week, but that still counts right?

First up, Wednesday, I hit the gym after work with NikeC with the intention of doing the circuit room.  I have only done it one other time and that was about 2 years ago.   Machines and I don’t get a long so well.  I did a short 2.5 miles on the treadmill to warm up.   I actually kind of liked the treadmill, either that or I was nervous about the circuit room.   I had hydrated a little too well before hitting the gym that night so before moving to the circuit room I had to use the restroom.  Why is this special?  I had never used the restroom or been in the locker rooms before.  I’ve belonged to the gym for 5 years.  I did mention I was a germophobe right?

After surviving that, we moved onto the circuit room.   Where some people were using it wrong.  Ok, I admit I don’t use it but come on, I can count from 1 to 20.   Once that was straightened out, we got to working out.   #bloggerfail- I don’t remember the names of machines nor did I take pictures.  She went first and demonstrated.  Other than the first machine, I think I did ok.  You sat in the first machine in kind of V shape and the pushed yourself back.  (see- blogger fail)  Also a fail because I couldn’t move it at all- I look over and NikeC had it at 90 lbs, yeah umm no.  She’s a bad ass and I am not.  Backed it down to 40 and I was good.   I also felt really challenged on the stupid steps in between each machine.  Who forgets how to jump?!    I was born in the 80’s, when did I lose my Jazzercise skills!  After the circuit we moved on to the leg room.   Those hip abduction things could be a good thing for running but felt really awkward.   I could do pretty much nothing in the ab room, apparently my butt’s too big for my back to lie flat.  🙂  So that will be a challenge for another night, haha.  Overall, we were there an hour and a half.  Now if I can just make it  a weekly thing.

Since I work Saturday again this week, I had another short day on Thursday.  It was opposite this time, so I worked in the morning and left early.  Knowing this on Wednesday I decided to try to do my long run on Thursday.  Only problem was I didn’t know where.   I thought about running on the beach but was warned away by a text about a bunch of leash less crazy dogs.  (It’s a leash free beach) I am crazy dog bait, so I passed on that.  I headed to nearby park in work town that says it has 2.3 miles of paved trails.   Yeah, I could only find about half a mile.    Any other day I would have just run around and figured it out but I had 12 miles to hit so I wanted a general idea of where I was going.  I headed to the lake to get in some laps, planning for 6 miles before heading back to home town to finish off the second 6.

It was warmer than work town but still mid 80’s so I felt good.   I’ve decided to always walk the playground section of the path.  It gives me a little breather and as an added bonus, I don’t run over any wandering children.  🙂   I have to admit I look forward to that little break, it’s about .10 of a mile, but feels great.    After 3 miles I needed water but I had also over hydrated that day as well.  Was I really going to have to use another restroom?  This one in a public park? Yes…it was only slightly sketchy.  No mirrors and lots of padlocks, classy.

After surviving that I pushed on. It was warm but I felt good, so continued on to 7 miles.  Woo hoo! I stopped to stretch before heading back to my car.  This is where I became an obnoxious runner.  A woman and her daughter were driving by and they stopped near my car.  She asked how far I had walked. I said “run” probably not in the best tone.  I’m sorry!!  Blame it on the heat or the tiredness or something.  And since I do walk the playground now, she could have only seen me walking.  There is nothing wrong with walking.  In fact, I think I am more consistent with scheduled walking breaks.  See example above.   🙂

After driving back home, drinking some Nuun and snacking on some Honey Stinger bites, I headed out to the newer path with my mom.  Again she was going to walk and I was going to run.   Since I had already done 7, all I needed was 5 so I planned on running the same route as Monday.    Same as Monday, I walked most of the first mile with my mom, so I was perfectly fine seeing a 13 minute first mile.  I figured I would pick up the pace, ha!  Never happened.  Maybe it was penance for my earlier snarkiness.    I didn’t schedule any walk breaks but maybe I should have.  Miles 2 and 3 clocked in at 11:00, hey at least I was consistent.  Finally got back down to 10 flat for mile 4 but I also knew 5 wasn’t happening.  I cut out the one cul de sac loop and just headed back to the car.  4.5 miles later and I was done.  Yuck.  I don’t know if it was because the temp had jumped again or if I was just tired.  Either way I was still feeling pretty good for hitting 11.5 miles.   Even if that last missed .5 bugs me a little.   🙂  Apparently my Diet Coke is still spiked.  🙂

Today I have yet to hit my measly 10 minutes of exercise but I still have a few hours.  I really should because I ate way too much today.    I was freakin’ starving!   I was a little concerned I would be sore at work today but I was actually pretty good, tall boots and all.   And bonus, I’m heading into the weekend having already completed my long run!   Now I just have work to get through tomorrow and an anniversary party for a friend tomorrow night.  And sleep, I need sleep.   And to maybe read a book.

How was your week?

Anyone racing this weekend?

Am I the only one who has had an #obnoxiousrunner moment?

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