Run in the Sun

Miles today: 5.75

Miles this week: 21.7
Miles in 2010: 238.3

Today made me feel like the kids in this picture. I LOVE sunny, warm days, Vitamin D, and a good afternoon run. I love running in the afternoon better than any other time of day...way better than morning and some better than evening.

Anyway, I only had to work until 3:00 today, which was awesome because I never have afternoons off. I dressed for a run, left work, and headed over to Lynchburg College to run. I ran my Sandusky Loop from the summer with Stacey. Missed her while I was running, but at least I felt good this time.

Last time I ran this loop was in January after I fell and busted up my knee. It hurt really bad and felt like it was going to explode, so I'm glad that's over with. I ran pretty smooth, felt strong coming up Fort Avenue and even up Greenwood Drive and Thomas Road.

Speaking of busting up my knee. It's definitely a good thing that wedding dresses are long. Otherwise, I'd have a big nasty scar to cover up for this wedding. Gross.

After my run, I did some shopping and then headed home so that Gregg and I could go to my sister's for mom's spaghetti. YUMM-O!

Dinner was super delish. I kind of miss sitting at my mom's dinner table to enjoy her cooking. It was good to have her in Lynchburg.

Oh, I've been trying to do the reader question alert thing, but not that many people respond. Am I really that boring? Here's today's question:

READER QUESTION ALERT!!!

If Gregg and I have a free "Gregg and Heather 5K" the morning of our wedding, would it be neat to invite anyone to come, even if they're not invited to the wedding? Would you come, readers?

Yo, write me a comment, ok?

Interval Run

Miles today: 6.75

Miles this week: 15.95

Miles in 2010: 232.5

Today my parents came into town, partly to celebrate my belated birthday, so after work, Gregg and I both went on a run at 5:00.

Gregg met up with Brian, Danny, and Matt and I ran by myself from the Greek Church. Gregg had me do mile intervals with a mile warm-up, a fast mile, a rest mile, a fast mile, and a mile cool-down. The goal was to try to run 10 minute slow miles and 8 minute fast miles.

I started at the Greek Church, ran down the paved path through the tunnel (note: the Garmin does lose signal in the tunnel) toward downtown, and then across the bridge near Point of Honor, up to Hollins Mill and back up the hill and around to the Greek Church. My splits were 9:45/7:45/10:20/8:20/10ish. I ended up running almost 7 miles, so my last couple I just kept between a 9 and 10-minute pace. It was a really good run and I felt good even during my fast miles. It's definitely interesting feeling how my body has changed in the past two months. I feel lighter and stronger and therefore it's easier to run faster. I'm pretty psyched about what that means for this spring/summer!

After I finished up, Gregg came Usain Bolting in. He ran a fast last mile and I thought I was seeing an Olympian in person.

Afterwards, we headed to my sister's house to hang out with my parents and fam.

I love birthdays and was bummed the weekend of my actual birthday when it snowed and my parents couldn't make it to Lynchburg, so I was kind of super looking forward to their visit.

Much to my surprise, when we arrived, I had a present waiting for me...a new Chi straigtening iron! I was pretty pumped because my straightener has been on the fritz for awhile...what a super gift! Thanks mom and dad!

We ate ice cream cake leftover from my brother-in-laws birthday (yeah, I know...the sweets things didn't work so well, but I am eating less!) and hung out with my niece.

Note: My mom brought homemade spaghetti for dinner tomorrow. I can't wait!

Recovery

Miles today: 4.4
Miles this week: 26.3
Miles in 2010: 196

Today when I woke up my hamstrings felt like junk. I didn't want to go to the 7:30am run and almost skipped. I didn't though...so I headed out to Boonsboro Shopping Center with Gregg and began a run that my legs didn't want to do. I ran with Gregg, Jonathan, Gary, and JC on Old Boonsboro Road and then back to Boonsboro Road, but my legs just couldn't hang with them, so I slowed down around Peakland UMC and hung back.

There's this amazing feeling that happens when you know you've worked your muscles so much that they are just fatigued...that's the way they felt yesterday. This morning, though, is the not-so-amazing feeling of un-bending-ness and soreness.

Part of it probably has to do with stretching. Last week I went to yoga four times and felt so limber. This week I had no time, worked late most days, and was too tired to make it to yoga. In hindsight, it probably hasn't helped. I feel like spaghetti.

So anyway, I ran to the Peakland intersection, realized I HAD to go to the bathroom, ran to Kroger, made a pit stop, and then returned to Peakland and ran to the end, turned around, and went back to Boonsboro Shopping Center. I ran REALLY slow. My legs wouldn't let me go faster...so I guess that means today was just a get out and shake 'em loose kind of day. Stretch, recover, relax.

Gregg and I were supposed to go to Luray last night to visit a friend and talk to our potential marriage pastor, but our plans were cancelled by a surgery, so I'm heading up to Bethesda today for one of his trips. I'm kind of excited to get out of town and enjoy a hotel.

Hope the weather stays nice! We're going to run in DC on Monday! Stay tuned!

And PS: have you seen the U.S. Olympic medal dominance?!