Day 70 +1

Run Day: Friday, November 19.

Sigh, really? Another week and a half went by? Well, I did plan to rest once I finished the 5K. Plus, I had a trip to Kansas City over the weekend, and I started work Monday. With it being Orientation week, I actually got four days of work in. I have desperately wanted to run, but it's dark morning and night. And it's cold. I even ran, in heels, up 5 flights of stairs in the parking garage yesterday at lunch, just to get the blood pumping.

I've also been contemplating my own made up 5K to 10K plan. After completing a 5K, which I always knew would take around 40 minutes, I planned two days off, followed by runs of 32, 35, 35, 37, and 40 minutes, then a 4 mile run, followed by a 42 minute run. I never did think this made a lot of sense, but it was beginning to look as if it would never matter anyway. Since I just completed a 42 minute run, I was essentially already on Day 17 of my plan (skipping the 4 mile run). Hmm. I set out today with the hope of repeating a 5K and readdressing the 10K plan afterwards. All I know is that I am adding a goal: Run 4 miles. It's the next big milestone for me, one way or another.

I was debating what to wear today. It bothers me that my summer running clothes say to wear only in very hot weather. I mean, if I wear one now, and cover with a sweatshirt, it's still going to wick. But what else is going to happen? A fire? A flood? Will I get cancer? Will it turn to ice? Will I turn to ice? Bah, I went with capri pants, winter under armor long sleeved shirt, and long sleeved t-shirt, plus a stocking cap and chapstick.

Pre-run food today: granola bar, Dew, water, cheese and whole wheat crackers. Nom Nom.

I had a massive calf cramp last night. The kind where the screaming wakes you up, rather than the cramp itself. My leg was still very sore today, but I thought I would be ok to run. I stretched the Achilles a bit longer, and hoped for the best. When I set out (poem in hand, mp3 at home), it was actually my ankles that hurt. Sigh. My shins were also hurting today. Whatever.

I started off following the same route as last time, taking the hills first. However, I felt like I needed to avoid getting too close to the house, so I slightly tweaked the twist of my Figure-8. I ran straight to the main road, instead of taking an early turn a block closer to home.

This seemed effective, along with heavy use of trying to memorize the poem. Aside from getting quite hot, there really wasn't much to report. At the corner where the 5K mark is, I noted that I had been running 39 minutes (a minute faster than last time). I made it home in what seemed like relative ease. I can't believe I've officially cleared the 5K hurdle.

Once home, my ankles continued to hurt, as did the bottoms of my feet, of course. I also need to look into headaches post-workout. I get them sometimes, but they have been more regular lately, and they're horrendous. I know I've come across articles on the subject, but now I really need to look into it to see what I can do about it. I'm taking way too many tylenol again for my liking.

This run felt especially amazing after sitting in an office all week (well, 4 days). I'm really excited about having running help me through my dreaded work life.

Weather: 56, Sunny, 15mph Wind, 51% Humidity
Time: 1pm; 41:35 - 10 seconds faster than last time.
Distance: 5.2K (3.23mi) - Essentially the same distance as last time.
Elevation: +89.3/-89.3/net 0 ft
5K/10K: 39:52/1:24:16 - While faster than last time, I'd really like to be moving along a bit faster now that I know I can do the distance. This was my 14th fastest overall, 32nd fastest just running time. I wouldn't have bothered counting if I weren't still so excited about running a 5K.