Holy Windy-ness!!

Since when did Tampa become the new Windy City? I set out for my 8 miler this morning. Starting out I was feeling pretty sluggish because I was so tired. I even had thoughts of sleeping in until the last minute before work, but I knew I had plans to meet Jaime J for dinner after work and that I had to get to the DMV at lunch to get a new driver’s license. If I did not get my butt out of bed this morning to work out I was not going to have time today, which would lead me to feeling guilty and regret because I have to look good in a bathing suit this weekend during our Bachelorette Extravaganza!!!

So, there I was running down Bayshore feeling T.I.R.E.D. I felt the wind, but it wasn’t going against me, it was just windy. It didn’t feel like it would feel any different on the way back, but I still had a little bit of nervousness for my treck back when I turned around. Well, I made it to my water fountain and turn back. It wasn’t bad – haha – uuuuntil I hit mile 5.5 when I went around the bend near Bay to Bay. Then it was windy – not only windy – but like HURRICANE wind! I was cruising at a sub 8:00 pace for my miles and then all of a sudden I was at 8:16 pace and felt like I was running in pace. I might as well of had a parachute on my back and running in place it was that bad! I wanted to stop and walk, but I knew I was already cutting it close to get to work on time – so I continued and hated it. But then I remembered I was RUNNING! I wouldn’t have it any other way. So I embraced the wind and tried to tell myself how much I loved the wind and that I would rather be fighting hurricane weather than riding a stupid stationary bike – these feelings were HARD to mentally have – very hard!

I made it home somehow without stopping. 8:08 pace for my miles this morning – a little slower than yesterday’s flat 8:00 pace – but Ill take it!!!

As far as the foot goes. I do not feel any pain in the foot. Oddly enough I think I have a mild shin splint in my right leg! When I was in high school I would get these, so I know where and what they feel like. I’m not too worried about it, I just ice it and it is fine.

I am also trying to be very conscious about my diet right now as well. After feeling so heavy with running I want to lose some of the pounds that snuck up on me, but I don’t want to lose the muscle that I have gained. I want an even balance, but no fat!

Happy Wednesday!!!!

8 Miles of Wonderful-ness

I woke up this morning, hit the pavement and made it all the way to my water fountain!

This means I ran 8.17 Miles

8:17
8:14
8:12
8:06
7:54
8:02
7:46
7:35

1:04:02 8 Miles!

Running late for work, but I am oh so happy right now!!!

I knew I should have kept myself off Bayshore!!!

Kind of Excited/Scared

Monday I ventured out to Bayshore to honor Marathon Monday. I had been avoiding Bayshore like the plague because I didn't want to open myself up to daily temptation. Jaime asks all the time for me to run with her out there and I always decline because of my reason.

Well - Marathon Monday is kind of a big deal in the running world. So I went out and did it. I did not run with my Garmin. I just went. I was originally going to do my full 8 mile path, but turned around at my 7 mile path turn-around because I started thinking that I was being a little too extreme. Now, the Dr. did say that I should not run until mid May. My foot doesn't hurt and running feels good on the treadmill. I LOVED every minute of Monday. It made me the happiest person alive to be out there and see so many familiar running faces! The wind was really brutal on the way back - but that wasn't even going to take my happieness away! I emraced the wind like it was my best friend!! I was not going to tell any of my running friends about this run of mine because they really want me to be with them running and not on my own. So that was my full intention... until I walked in my door and looked at my phone. MY COACH SAW ME!! Of all people, he spotted me. So, I had to let my secret out. I  can never get away with secrets. They always come out. This happens in every aspect of my life. I can not keep things inside, I always get caught so now I just let them out. This is not about friends secrets - just my own.

Since I know myself so very well - this run did in fact open a HUGE can of worms. I went at it again this morning - but this time I wore Mr. Garmin. 7 more miles of amazingness. Now I know people are really curious how my mile times are with this whole break I had to take - so here it is!!

7.12 Miles

58:51

8:16/Mi

8:31

8:24

8:23

8:19

8:10

8:07

8:01

.12 7:28

Nice cut downs right!? I did not plan this it just happened. I wasn't pushing I wasn't doing anything. I just did what I did. I ran. Now, I am going to be 100% honest. I felt HEAVY. Like I felt like I had a lot of weight on me and it was tiring. Yes, I have gained some pounds with this break. Fat and Muscle. Muscle because I have started lifting weights - whereas before I didn't touch them. Fat because of poor diet and not as much cardio as running and alcohol.

So there you have it. My first garmin splits post-break.

I am super excited about this. The times are much slower than I would like them to be.

But, I think there is hope for me.

This has got to be the Good Life!

I went to the doctor yesterday and I do not have to wear that stinky nasty loud obnoxious ugly horrible black pathetic boot! (I am sure I could come up with more adjectives to desribe that thing, but I will stop out of respect for the boot). I wish there was someone in the room with me and the Dr. to tape my excitement. I was so tired before walking into the office - but as soon as he came in and said that I was free of the boot because of how nice my foot has been healing I jumped up and started clapping. He suggested I didn't jump other wise I would probably be right back in it. He kept talking about how I should hold off until May to run and blah blah blah - but at that point I wasn't listening I just smiled and clapped and smiled some more!!

LIFE IS GOOD!

So of course the rebel that I am - this is what I did prior to the appointment - and yes some may call me retarded/stupid but oh well.

I ran 60 minutes/7.5 miles the day before. Why you ask? Well I figured if it was bad and there was still something wrong - then it would really show the next day in the x-ray and or swelling. But nothing showed, he was even impressed that it wasn't inflamed (no I did not admit my run to him). Clearly it is healed. There is no sensitiveness or feeling of the fracture anymore.

So what did I do after the appointment you wonder - well I RAN - and maaaan did it feel GOOD!!



I got in my little Jetta and went to the gym. I hoped right on the treadmill and went at it! 45:00 minutes of pure bliss!!! It felt wonderful - a HUGE smile on my face the entire time!!! I saw a friend at the gym and he came over to talk to me and I was just smiling away!!! Little does he know how crazy a runner can get off of a high.

After running I went and played TENNIS!! The friend that was at the gym had raquets so we raced over to the courts to play a couple of hours of "hitting the ball" back and forth across the net. We were no professionals by any means - but it was still lots of fun!!!