icicles on my eyelashes and god bless the rest day!

Hallelujah its Thursday!  Man, I am tired today.  I think I need to start being even more of a grandma and go to bed even earlier.  Because going to bed at my usual 8:30pm is clearly WAY to late.  I swear, I don't know how all the "real" runners do it.  They run 70, 80, even 100+ miles a week.  I'm wiped and I'm just squeaking in at 40.  My house is always a mess (which if you know me, I get really stressed about a messy house - you never know who might pop over!), and I need to go to bed like an 80 year old!  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but I feel like the days just go by so fast.  I'm not complaining though, truth is, I like going to bed early, plus I know I would'nt run well if I was tired, and turns out, I kind of like to run :)

This morning started out wonderful with my new favorite breakfast, oats in a jar!


I knew there was a use for almost empty almond butter jars!


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Let me do a quick mid-week recap for you all, because I know you all come hear to read the riveting details.

Monday - 8 miles total
                1.5 mi. WU & CD
                5x1 mi. at T  pace(tempo = 8:00), 1:30 rest (45 sec. catch breath)

I did this on the t-mill at a 1% incline.  It had been beyond cold this week, so I thought it best to be inside. This workout went really well.  I felt really strong during the tempo miles.  I started the first two at 8 min. pace, the third I started at 8 and bumped it to 7:55 for the last half mile, the fourth I started at 8 and bumped it up every quarter mile, and the last one I started at 7:55 and increased it to end at a 6:53 (!).  My legs felt good too which was surprising because my weekend runs were probably a tad faster than I should have gone, but I didn't feel that in my legs.  I did notice that my shins were starting to hurt, like shin splints.  I had issues with this last summer when I was just starting to run, but haven't had a problem until now.  I iced when I got home so hopefully that helps.  I also did a 30 min. strength circuit at the gym after my run.

Tuesday - 4 miles easy ( 9+ pace)
                 t-mill run 1% incline, 8:55 pace

Nothing exciting to note here, easy and short run, shins still hurt :(

Wednesday - 8 miles total
                     10x400m R pace (1:50) with 400m recovery
                     4 striders before start

I swear to baby Jesus, if I have to do another track workout in negative degree windchill again I will scream!  Mother Nature, throw me a bone here!  Oh well, these are the times that make us stronger right? (just say yes).  I met Nichole, Jake and our friend Matt up at the High School for a good ol' track party!  Matt was there to help work with Nichole and Jake helped me and joined for a few of Nichole's repeats.  It was SO nice having other people at the track.  100% guarantee if I was alone I would have quit.  The wind was nasty and it was just plain cold.  After my warm up it was time to get to work - here are my paces (remember, I had to hit a 1:50 for each 400m)

1 = 1:36 (whoops!  too fast!)
2 = 1:44
3 = 1:46
4 = 1:45 (this is when my eyes started to freeze shut)
5 = 1:52 (hmmm, too slow??)
6 = 1:41
7 = 1:46 (pretty sure I was cursing the wind at this point)
8 = 1:46
9 = 1:32 (thanks to Nichole pushing me!)
10 = 1:41

Crappy weather aside, this was a great workout.  Nichole pushed me my last 2 repeats ( I felt like I was going to barf on that 9th one!).  I felt strong and in control for pretty much all of my repeats. I was breathing hard, but felt good.  I kept telling myself "its only a 400, only once around, you can do it!".  Even Jake said I looked a lot better than my last track workout, so that makes me happy.  I tried to stay aware of my form and not get too sloppy. Also, my shins didn't bother me one bit, yay!  But that also could have been that they were probably numb :)  Friends like these guys are what made hard workouts so great.  I am so thankful I have people who want to help me, and are up for anything.  Even if that means running at the windiest place in town on one of the coldest nights. I told Nichole that if it weren't for her I wouldn't even be up there running, and I mean that in the best way possible :).  Matt, Nichole, and Jake, you guys are rock stars.  Maybe one day I'll be as fast as you :)

I am so glad its my rest day today.  Is it sad I'm excited to catch up on housework and make some chili? (again, just say yes).  My legs are feeling that workout today, so I'm more than happy to give them a break.  I'll be ready to go again tomorrow!