A thirty-something running mama in Portland, OR, who finds sanity in lacing up her Nikes, enjoys the challenge that running and racing brings, but doesn't run very fast. I try to improve my speed with each race, and I share my efforts here.
Living and running in the moment
My legs are tired this evening, and, odd as this may sound, this excites me. I'm thrilled because the soreness and tiredness is a result of having had the best running week I've had in a long time. Not only did I go out for a run 4 times this week, but each time I ran strong and pushed myself just enough to up my game without leaving me to crash and burn at the end. But I don't take any of the credit, because three of the four times I was running with my group.
After a couple of post-H2C lackluster weeks of running, I'm back in business! Despite my husband being out of town all last week, I managed to get some good miles in. I also did something over the week that I haven't done in a long time; I left my watch at home. I've been so obsessed with my pace the last few months, that I haven't had a relaxing, fun run in awhile. I had been pushing my limits by trying to go at as fast of a pace as possible on every run that it mentally, not just physically, became work to go out for a run. Make no mistake, I still pushed myself, but only slightly outside my comfort zone. But without a watch to focus on, I wasn't distracted with calculations and predictions in my head, and I was left to simply enjoy the run and my friend's company.
Pub Run Tuesday
My sister-in-law was gracious enough to come and watch the kiddo so I could join this bi-weekly event. Apparently I wasn't the only mama to be solo parenting this week, because 4 out of the 9 ladies who showed up with kiddos strapped in jogging strollers. I was instantly impressed because our pub run route is quite hilly, and I can't begin to fathom pushing 60+ pounds of stroller and kiddo up those hills. More likely is that I would have to chase down a run-away stroller on the downhill! What I love about this group is how determined every mama is. I finished with many of those stroller-pushing mamas close on my heels, one of whom kept pace with me the entire time! I was quite impressed, and just a tad envious that I couldn't "smoke" them!
Miles: 2.5
Time: Not the foggiest idea
Saturday morning at Forest Park
Miles: 10
Time: All I know is something less than 1:40
Sunday morning at Fairmount
Miles: 3.5
Time: 32 minutes
Bored with the idea of running in the neighborhood, I had to go somewhere I could run about 4 miles but where I couldn't cop out. So I went back to Fairmount Loop, but this time I wouldn't try to get creative the route. I would just run the loop, no detours.
The last time I did the complete loop was several years ago, and I remembered it to be much more level than it really is. Or maybe I'm just more of a wimp. The hills were fairly gentle with a few steeper spots, but all in all, I felt comfortable enough to take it easy but with the occasional tiny push outside my comfort zone. Maybe this will become a regular spot for me on those stroller-free days (I did see one mama pushing her stroller, but that's way out of my comfort zone for traffic safety reasons)
Another bonus: it was sunny, so I stopped to snap a photo in the clearing. Somewhere in the middle is my house!
Miles: 3.45
Time: 35:09
A thirty-something running mama in Portland, OR, who finds sanity in lacing up her Nikes, enjoys the challenge that running and racing brings, but doesn't run very fast. I try to improve my speed with each race, and I share my efforts here.
A thirty-something running mama in Portland, OR, who finds sanity in lacing up her Nikes, enjoys the challenge that running and racing brings, but doesn't run very fast. I try to improve my speed with each race, and I share my efforts here.
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