October 24, 2013

My legs still work!

When I stepped outside this morning to take the kids to the bus stop, I almost slipped on ice! I can't believe that it was actually icy outside today, in October. Like yesterday, I just wore my running clothes to the bus stop, and as soon as the boys were on the bus, I started my run from there.

I had five miles on the schedule, and I was hoping for a good run today. Mentally, I think I really needed to feel that good runner's high. I've been feeling so discouraged since the marathon, because I've been sluggish and my eating has been crappy. A good run always puts me in a good mood, and makes me want to eat better.

When I started running, I still felt like my legs were tired. Not quite as bad as yesterday, though. After the second mile split, I saw that my pace had picked up a little, and I actually started to feel even better by mile three. I thought how good it would feel to be able to run a sub-9:00 mile, so I put in some more effort. I finished mile three in 8:48.

By then, I'd gotten faster with each split, so I wondered if I could hit mile four with a negative split as well. I hit mile four in 8:32. And of course, since I'd run all negative splits up to that point, I wanted to finish mile five just a little faster. I put in some serious effort and managed to run the fifth mile in 8:07!

Five miles at an 8:45 average pace, all negative splits... I felt fantastic! That was JUST what I needed to boost my spirit.


When I was done, I was thinking about how my run reminded me of that scene in Forrest Gump--the one where he starts running away from the kids who were bullying him. At first, he's barely hobbling because of the braces on his legs; then he starts to get a little smoother, and more confident; and soon, the braces fall off into pieces, and he's running like the wind ;)  Bahaha, that's kind of what happened to me today. I started out feeling a little clumsy and tired, but by the end, I felt like I flew through it.

I felt great all day. In the afternoon, I decided to take my brother's dog, Bailey, for a walk. My mom is dog-sitting her right now because Nathan is deer hunting. Bailey was super excited when I got out her leash. We walked from my mom's house, over to the woods behind my house, and then on the access road. I stopped to take her picture for my brother. 


She was so good, and just sat there while I took a few pictures. I'm definitely more a cat person than a dog person, but sometimes I really wish I had a dog just for going on walks. It was fun taking her on a walk today!

Nathan told me today that he's not going to be able to run the Monroe Half-Marathon. His hip isn't getting any better. I'm super bummed for him, because he was pretty excited about doing it. But I suggested that he let his hip get better, and plan on running the Glass City Half-Marathon in April. My sister and her husband are running their first full marathon there, and I'm running the last leg of the relay. Maybe I can convince my older brother, Brian, to do the half, too. It would be fun if all four of us did it!

So anyway, I'm not sure what my plan is for the Monroe Half now. I'm not registered yet, but I definitely want to do it, because it's the first half in my hometown. I was planning to offer to pace Jessica to a sub-2:00 half, but I honestly don't feel very confident that I can even run a sub-2:00 half that soon after the marathon. I guess I'll just figure it out before the race, and see how I feel. I'll probably just end up running at an easy, enjoyable pace, and maybe find some people to chat with. I know a lot of people who are running that day.

My run was great today, my eating was great today, and I just felt awesome all day. Definitely a mood booster!

9 comments:

  1. "I'll probably just end up running at an easy, enjoyable pace, and maybe find some people to chat with."

    Did you ever think you would say those two things in the same sentence? Running easily AND chatting simultaneously? LOL. I know I wouldn't put them in the same sentence!

    Michelle Christine

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  2. I love reading your blog - hearing about your good mood has actually put me in a great mood too!

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  3. If you enjoy taking dogs for walks, you should visit your local animal shelter and volunteer to play with and walk the dogs. Even if you can only do it for 15 or 30 minutes, it will likely be the only time they get out of their cages all day. Your kids and Jerry could even go too! Love your blog, been lurking for about a year now. Thanks for all of the inspiration!

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  4. Good for you Katie! What a great day. And Bailey is a beautiful dog. Black Lab?

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  5. If you ever consider getting a dog, I found that the small breeds make me feel like they are closer to cats then dogs. My minpin is so catlike, she even cleans herself like a cat. But I really like Crystal's idea of volunteering with the shelter. Thankyou for the idea for myself too!
    You certainly have come a long way, when your whole family does marathons now, and you will go out to run and help someone else now too!

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  6. Hey! First comment ... I really enjoy your blog. I started running last march ( have done a 4 miler and a 10k recently ). Currently training for a half. I have never run in cold temperatures and was wondering if you could post on what to wear as temps drop. It's 50 here in nyc now and slowly cooling down. My half is in the first part of December and id like to be prepared for what kind of running clothing I should be buying as winter comes . Thank you !

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    1. Thanks for commenting! That's awesome that you're training for your first half. I wrote a little about what I wear in the cold weather, which you can find here: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2012/01/very-wintery-run.html

      Basically, I LOVE Under Armour's Cold Gear line. :)

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  7. So glad to hear you had a good day! I was having a bit of a blah week too this week (I've been plateaued for about a month), but I started a new workout this week and it's really seemed to help! Yay for happy days! :D

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  8. I've been finding as I get more and more into running (largely from YOUR inspiration) that the first 1-1/2 can be really challenging, both physically and mentally - but then I kind of find my groove by the 2nd & 3rd miles and the 3rd is often my best. Of course, I'm no where near your ability yet and rarely make it much beyond a 3rd mile, lol! Here's hoping for decent weather tomorrow for us all at the Wicked Halloween run! :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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