Halfway Back on the Wagon

So with Thanksgiving last week and having run that darn 10k at the start of November, I was a complete running slacker for the past two weeks. I ran once last week and it was only 3 miles. I had plans of starting half-marathon training ASAP, but after realizing that both races I was looking at (Longbranch Half and Pittsburgh Half) didn't occur until May, I thought I could maybe blow the start of the training off until January and concentrate on picking up my pace.

So today I decide to wake up early and get in a quick (and I mean quick) 2 miles before work. Getting up when it's cold and cloudy was beyond devastating. So much so that I almost didn't go out even after I my running gear on. So I drag myself outside and I plan to warm up slowly for a half mile and then run faster for a mile, cool it down for a half and then pick it up for a half. Well, the picking up part did work, but the recovery part deteriorated into a walk instead of a job. I swear it ended up taking me like 25 minutes to go 2 miles-GAH!

I am seriously someone who always needs a training plan. Left to my own devices, I complete weird runs in weird times. But I did run, so I already matched last week's best effort.

10k Complete; Bring on the Half

On Sunday, I finished my first 10-k race! Not at a fast time, but kept running the whole way--even on the big hill at the start of the race. The race was held in Madison, N.J., and called Giralda Farms Run, yet it's not a farm. It's an industrial office park, but it's got a nice trail and it's near some amazing houses to ogle.
There is both a 5k and 10k race run simultaneously and about 1,300 people participated this year. This seemed OK to me until I passed the turnaround for the 5k-ers. I was so jealous. My fiance, who is a marathoner, ran with me and kept me motivated, so I appreciate him slowing things down for me.
My time ended up being 1:15:09. Slow and steady for sure, but I'll take it! I can only go up from here, right? Plus I love a good long-sleeved running shirt and that's exactly what we got.

You can find photo links here: http://www.mondphotos.com/events/101114-giralda/5k10k/showlargehtm.asp?startImage=3996&orgstartImage=3996&image=101114132627_2363_MM.jpg

A friend thought she had gotten a photo of me, but it ended up being of the grass. Sigh.

Catch-Up

Eek, I am so behind in both my running and documenting my running! I was a complete slacker. On Saturday morning I ran a quick 5k (quick relatively speaking). I forgot my ipod so I actually have no idea what my time was. On Sunday, I was supposed to bang out a 10k (last one before the race), but I had a ton of school work to catch up on and work to get done, so I blew off that run until Monday morning.

Did I run 6.2 miles yesterday? No, I did 4, and the plan is to squeeze in 2 miles tomorrow, a 5-miler on Friday and then await the run on Sunday.

And I still owe Christina at Lace it up and run a birthday run photo. 

Getting Nervous

In less than two weeks I'll be completing my first 10-K (well, as long as I don't end up wimping out). Last night I just did a quick 2 miles to keep my muscles loose. Tomorrow I'm going to try to run 7 miles and according to the Runners World training plan I've been following for months I should be doing 10 miles on Sunday. I'm not sure if that's too smart considering that's 1 week before the race and the most I have done is 9.25 miles. More experienced runners, what are your thoughts? Will this 10-miler help or hinder? I was considering just doing a 10-K for prep.

I also realized that as the weather cools, I need to get some more fall/winter running gear. I'm good with a windbreaker and a jacket, but I only have 3 long-sleeved shirts and 2 pairs of tights. I loathe laundry, so I think I need to stack my Christmas list with running gear. Headlining that last is a Garmin! My Nike ipod chip is nice and all, but I want to get all teched out about my running.

What's on your running holiday wish list?

Spooktacular 6.2

After a week of less than inspiring runs on the river trail near my apartment, I was dreading this long run all week. On Thursday I was supposed to knock out 6 miles, which I completed, but ended up having to walk home (about 1.5 miles) because my knee was killing me. So I rested, and on Sunday I compromised on what was supposed to be a 9-miler and decided to just do a 10-k, since that the race I'm training for (eek, 2 weeks away!).

The run ended up going OK. Slow and steady, beautiful weather and I got to check out kids' Halloween costumes since my run coincided with trick-or-treating in the city.

Tomorrow I need to do an easy 2 miles. I think I may route my run around my polling place--don't forget to vote! Women worked hard to earn it for us.