Is running contagious? and other random thoughts

First, my daughter, now 2 people at work have started running! Craziness...

My daughter is doing well. She is only doing about a mile each run, but her time has improved drastically and she is at about a 10:00 mile. She said it is getting easier (they always say listen to your mother, right?). Anyway, she did the mile in gym today and it was 12:50! What?!?! The problem is, during her training runs at home, she runs the whole way. At school, she runs with other people and starts out way too fast, then has to walk some of it. She actually admitted that's what happened today, and that she KNEW she was running too fast. So I said, well... then didn't you tell yourself, gee I better slow down? Then there was some discussion about her convoluted theory on getting too fast and then getting a worse grade. Some kind of junior high logic that I didn't quite follow. Still, it's so much fun to see her starting to be able to feel her pace. And her speed... ugh, it's mind blowing. She will very shortly be running too fast for me to keep up with her. Honestly, I hope that she does beat my butt! She is the one person that I feel no need to compete with, and I can honestly be happy in her success :) My husband, on the other hand... it burns my hide that he's passed me up (on speed anyway-- i still got him on distance).

Lastly, on a sad note, my lower back is killing me. I'm not sure what I did, but it's been bothering me off & on since Saturday. It felt better Sunday morning, so I ran my 9.3 miles, and then it started hurting again. Supposed to do 5 some time this week and 11 on Friday, so I really need it to get better. Half marathon is right around the corner!!

Motivation? I got yer motivation right here!

5K last night, got to run with all the downtown lights as the backdrop, pretty cool. Totally sucked on my time, though. First time EVER that my 5K time has not improved -- UGH! Bummer deal. I felt really good, and paced myself extremely well (Garmin graph shows very even pace throughout the race). I dunno... maybe that was the problem. But I really did feel like I pushed through the entire race. I also kind of question the time a little because according to my Garmin, I should have been around 28:50 but the chip time was 29:29. I didn't care for their timing method, and like the Champion Chips better.

Less than 4 weeks until the half marathon. Time to get serious. 10 mile run planned for tomorrow morning.

So... motivation has been seriously lacking lately, as evidenced by the recent lack of workouts, eating like crap, etc. Last night did give me a big wake up call, though. A) 5K time has slipped B) uh, half marathon in 4 weeks, dummy C) feeling "heavy", running "slow" D) pants don't be fitting so well E) feeling grouchy & crappy F) did i mention 4 weeks until 13.1????

Guess I know I can run the 13, so I haven't been too worried about pushing myself, and following the training so strict this time. But, I definitely feel "out of shape" and I am, compared to what I was before. Yet, I'm completing my long runs with relative ease. Still, I had said that I wanted to improve my half marathon time, and after last night, I'm kind of worried! Maybe I won't be able to beat my last time! YIKES!

5 is the new 3?

I just had a pretty nice 5 mile run. I was tired from working all day and was really procrastinating, but I finally forced myself out the door. And thank goodness I did. It was a really nice run. (cooler weather rocks!)

Then I realized that 5 miles feels suspiciously like 3 used to. Hmmm... is "5" my new "3"? Except I can't run 5 miles in 30 minutes. That would be nice. Gosh, I wish I was a lot faster mainly for the fact that longer runs take so darned long! Training for these longer races is just so time consuming, so the thought of finding TIME to train for a marathon some day seems far fetched. Plus, it's kind of a crazy idea, right?

Back on Track

I am back on track with my eating situation. Thank goodness! I had a really good week, so I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction, and I lost almost all the extra poundage I had put on during my junk food frenzy of the last few weeks. One more week like this one and I'll be in good shape.

Food is fuel. Running has taught me this lesson probably more than any other. I can definitely feel the difference when I am "eating clean" versus pigging out. If I am not eating right I feel like 100 pounds heavier when I run and just darn sluggish. Food is fuel, people!! I'm tellin' ya...