Down to the Wire

At the beginning of the month, I announced my intention to reach my 1,000th mile (this year) by the end of September, and for the most part, I've been diligent in my endeavor.  But, over the weekend, I hit a bit of a running slump.

We were camping in the Keys -- left on Friday, returned on Sunday -- and both the prep, the camping itself, and the return left me wiped out, so I ran minimum mileage those 3 days.  So, I put myself a bit behind in the mileage.

Now, with 6 days left in the month, I need to run 29 miles to achieve my goal.  That's 4.8 miles each day.

Obviously, if I hit 1K on Oct 1st, rather than Sept 30th, the world doesn't end, so there's no "real" pressure to achieve this.  Still.  I set a goal for myself, I like to see it through.

So, for 4.8 miles a day for the next 6 days?  It's on.

Perception

Yesterday, I was at the gym getting my miles in, and when I finished my 4 miles, I was wiping down the treadmill when the guy next to me said, "I can't believe you can run for 38 minutes without stopping!  That's amazing."

It made me chuckle since, to many runners, running A.) 4 miles isn't much, B.) 4 miles in 38 minutes isn't fast, and C.) without taking break is kinda expected.  But, that's why, as I walked out to my car, his comment felt meaningful.

It's so easy, as a runner, to look at what everyone else is doing not appreciate what I am capable of.  Running 4 miles in 38 minutes is not impressive to some, but to others?  It is.

So, inadvertently, his flattering comment helped me pause and be grateful for being in such good health that I can run, every day, and not think of it as anything particularly remarkable.  That's a luxury.

Monday's Run

On Mondays, Norah started ballet at school.  It goes from 3:15 until 4:15, so I have an hour to kill.  How do I do that?  How do you think?  Run!

It's too hot at that time of day to run outside, but yesterday I did what will probably become routine on Mondays: Run on the treadmill at the gym.

It's been a looooooooonnnngggggg while since I last ran on a treadmill, and even though it was boring, it was nice to feel (somewhat) speedy again.  Over the course of the last few months, even though I wear my Garmin and record my time, I have been doing my best to ignore my timing since it's been so dang slow.  I know that this time of year, with the heat, always slows me down, and this year I also have to account for the toll a streak takes on me.  So, I've gotten used to averaging 10:30 min/miles. 

But, yesterday's run on the treadmill was a different story.  Inside the A/C and on the treadmill (where I can just set the pace and then keep up), I ran 6 miles in 58:10, which is a 9:40 pace.  Stil slow considering that in March I ran a 10K in 56:12, which is a 9:03 pace.

Still.  I was pleased with it. A sub-hour 6 miler right now is more than welcome!

Today, then, I'm feeling it: A bit sore, a bit tight.  But, pleasantly so.

Weekend Running

Weekends are often when runners are able to really pack their miles in, which makes sense because we all have a little extra time on the weekend.  But. I have long found it a struggle.  It's the one time during the week when my streakin' resolve falters.

During the week, my daily runs have cemented their place in our routine, but on the weekend, when routines are more loosey-goosey, finding the right fit for running's timing is sometimes a stretch.  Case in point: This past weekend.

On Saturday morning, I decided to fit in just a quick few miles before I needed to get ready and take Norah to a mornign birthday party.  I ran 2 miles with the intention of running more later in the day.  But then the day was pretty packed with fun: birthday party and then a family trip to the Art Museum, and then I ate 2 Bahn Mi's, and well, my plan to get back out there crumbled in favor of watching "Escape from Planet Earth" with the kids instead.

On Sunday, I could have gotten up early and run, but I lacked the will, as I often do in the morning.  Especially a Sunday morning, when I just want to be able to sit and actually drink a hot cup of coffee.  Again, we had a birthday party to attend -- this time in the afternoon -- and, I drank 2 beers, ate a sizable burger, and then an even more sizable slice of birthday cake.  I got home feeling tired and bloated, but knew I still had to fit in a run.  I did 4.2 miles, which was more than I thought I would when I walked out the door, but afterward, I wished I had run earlier in the day so I could've allowed the food and drink to settle in like a brick.

So, it gets done, but 10K in 2 days is pretty weak.

But, if this weekend had been a race for cake consumption, I would've rocked it!

August Tally

For August, I managed to squeek by with exactly 100 miles, making the month my year's lowest mileage month (Feb clocked in at 101, but considering it is a few days shorter than August, it really makes August look like a wimp).  It wasn't a stellar running month, but still, one can't complain about logging 100 miles and maintaining a streak.  So, there.  That's me not complaining.

Annnnddd, moving on: September has been a fresh start with the miles, and I'm off to a solid start.  The main goal this month is, as I mentioned last week, to reach my year's 1,000th mile before month's end.

And, of course, to keep streaking.  Today will be Day #246.

In case you lost track. ;)