Goal of 4 runs accomplished. Total distance 15.4 miles pace of 8:57.
Even though my miles and pace were not as good as the previous week, I still had a good week.
Monday, I believe was pretty wet. I ran in the rain and while I would have like to go faster since it was my speed run I just decided that I was happy just to be braving the elements. So even though my pace wasn't what I would have liked to see, I felt like I still accomplished something.
Tuesday was a complete change from the previous day. It was sunny and beautiful. I decided that I would take advantage of the weather and run farther than I had planned (just swap out my thursday run). I think I smiled much of this run because it was just that pretty out! I didn't care as much about pace. I just ran. I kept a very steady pace the entire time (since I was not trying to speed up...which then causes inevitable slow downs as well) The chart for this run is almost an entire straight line. I finished feeling AWESOME.
Thursday was an odd day for me. Alex and I had to be to a doctor appointment early that morning so I did not go out first thing for my run. Since we were fasting for the appointment, it through off everything we ate that day. After the appointment we drove to exchange my shoes (the ones I bought the previous week). I picked up a pair of the new brooks pure flow 3's.
I was very excited to go for a run in them when I got home. It was again a beautiful day. I needed to hustle though because somehow I got talked into driving down to meet with Kira and Josh so that Alex and the two of them could hike/walk while I went for a quick run. With Zoe coming home in a couple hours, that did not leave me a lot of time.
I put the shoes on and nearly cried. Between myself, the store manager who retrieved the shoes for me and the cashier... we all had neglected to see that one shoe was a size 8 and the other a size 7. I called the store.
My hope was that they could let Steve (who doesn't work far from them) pick up the other correct shoe and allow him to bring home that night. Otherwise I would be looking at another week to get it sorted out.
Instead, they said they would drive the shoe to me.
The thing was they had to find the shoe. Once they did, I was already on my way to the trail. I set up a time to meet them after my run though.
So I ran the trail while the others walked it. Oh my heavens it was hot!! HOT
I don't think a normal person would consider it so, but I am such a baby when it comes to running in warm weather. How am I going to train for a CA half marathon this summer??? I enjoyed the run even though it was a little more taxing that I would have liked. Not only was I warm, but my choice in foods for the day (eating on the run so lots of fast food...just all crap) was a bad idea. Lets just say I was able to enjoy the taste of my jamocha shake the entire run.
It was still a fun run though.
Saturday was the 5k. OMG hills! What is up with all 5k's needing to have a hilling course?? There were over 400 people in this race so it was a bit more congested than I like for small town events. Steve was worried he would get trampled (since males who run in the events put on by this promoter tend to be wicked fast) so asked that we hang back at the start. I really need to start to listen to my gut more. I had a feeling this was going to be a challenge for me. It was. I spent all of the first mile passing people...dodging them. It was rough on a narrow pathway. We were all pretty packed together as we ran. At one point I noticed a gal with her shoes untied and as I got closer I watched as people near her were almost stepping on them. I was so concerned! If this happened she would stubble and take out the entire pack!! So as I moved up and got next to her I let her know what was happening. Just as I did... someone slowed right in front of me. I had a near miss myself and had to jump off the trail to avoid slamming right into this person. By about mile 2, it got a little less congested. I still was passing people, but I had room to do so. Some of the hills were just brutal on this. I ran each of them though. So I was proud of that. The last one just before the finish was an elevation change of 54 feet over about 2 tenths of a mile. Very few people ran up that. I not only did, but in looking at RK I did a good job maintaining my pace. This was not my best or worst 5k.
It was pretty rough for Steve. His chrons is really giving him trouble and his pain level is pretty high. He still finished it though! I think he was not happy with his results though. I get it. At first I was very "
I should have done better. I know I can pull off a better pace" But it was very hilly and there were more people to contend with.
We had Zoe and Alex tag along. I was not sure what the plan would be for Zoe until the night before. Kira had talked about doing a different 5k with her and so I never registered her for anything.
Want some pics?
The look on my face is "when are you going to take the picture, Zoe???"
Just a bit of the crowd shot.
Steve's finish. And yes... he was beat by that little guy.
) I am not sure on the food. There was the usual bagels, bananas and oranges...oh and some popcorn. However not sure about anything else. We originally thought we would go to the race sponsor or the brewery after the race. Then we decided to take Zoe and Alex and promised breakfast at the Original Pancake House. So we didn't stick around very long.
we will see, I truly doubt that (that you will be slow and I will not) and I think we may be able to stick together, we can definitely play it by ear but there is a decent chance of it for sure! Jeff is always waiting for me but at least now I keep up with him for a good half mile before he books it. 
