After Friday’s race I was pumped to keep running.    In fact I had hoped to run another 7 miles that day, before dinner and fireworks, to round out to 10 total.  I wanted this to be my last long run before my half in 3 days.   An unplanned 2 hour nap changed that, I didn’t even make it to the fireworks. 😦   While waiting for the awards to start after the race, there was very little shade and I think it affected me more than usual.  When Saturday rolled around; after getting in the shopping trip that was postponed last week, I just did not want to run.  Same for Sunday.  So, I didn’t.  I chose to treat the weekend as some needed rest.  I haven’t decided if that violates the whole #noexcuses thing or if a little rest is a good thing.  Instead of running, I read 4 books.  That counts for something right?

After that restful few days, I was ready to run on Monday.   Work wasn’t too busy, so I was able to get out of there fairly quickly.  I then headed back to home town to run the path I have been running lately.   My mom decided to join me, so I met up with her at the trail head.  I kind of like when she does that, it forces me to take the first mile a little slower, which is a good thing because I rarely ever warm up enough.  Especially on race days- bad runner! Slower is also better when it’s 90+ outside.  🙂

When I broke away from her, I felt like I settled into a good pace. At least on the way up. Coming down, I was looking forward to thelittle bit of help that a downhill brings but then there was the wind. Every single time I run this newer path the wind is ridiculous coming back down. Last week it was so bad and so loud, I could barely hear the music coming from my headphones. It wasn’t as bad on Monday, but I felt like I was running through sludge. Once I made it off the hill and around the corner, it eased up a bit. And I was rushed by 2 dogs on the trail portion again. Seriously?! Why am I dog bait? Overall, though at the end, my pace was pretty good.

The gym didn’t work out tonight so I hit the lake path to get in some miles. My left foot was a little sore the first lap around, so I wasn’t sure how many I was going to finish.   I seem to have split personality feet. My right foot has a higher arch and loves heels but hates flats. My left foot has a lower arch, hates heels and loves flats.   How does that work out? I haven’t found an insert that would help my left foot yet. Those things are pricey!

Luckily my foot loosened up around 2 miles in.   I finished a few more laps to hit 5 miles before turning of my Garmin. I then alternated walking withbutt kicks and high knees for the mile back to my car. I felt a little silly.    I was also staring at the serious lack of water in the lake.   I’m kind of afraid to ask where the geese went.

Tomorrow I want to get in a few quick miles before a rest day on Friday. Then Saturday is race day!! 13 miles on sand, I can do this right? There are 5 stretches of soft sand that have me concerned. One, it slows me down, two, it weighs me down. But I get to run it with NikeC, so I am sure that it will be a blast. Plus, I am kind of excited about running a race on my actual birthday.

How has your week gone so far? We’re more than halfway through!

Anyone use inserts? Either in running shoes or regular shoes?