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March 23, 2006
Encouraging Progress
Today I went for my usual hour long run on the trail. It was warm enough to wear shorts (about 45 degrees) and by the end I was even down to shirt sleeves and shorts. Very promising turn in the weather. I also noticed how late it has been staying light outside. It was after 6 pm when I finished my run and not a hint of dark to be found. The exciting part is this will get even better in a week when we change the clocks back. Spring is here indeed!
Regardless, my run provided a little encouragement today. I ran by myself because O was tutoring and had already run with Roxy in the afternoon. I did have my iPod though which helps me a lot. I honestly think it's so good for me because I turn up the music loud enough such that I can't hear myself breathing so hard and I don't get as discouraged! :)
Anyway, I noticed I was running a little faster than usual on the way out. Not much faster, but more like 7:45-7:50 pace vs 8-8:15 pace. I usually run out for 31 minutes and see how close to the end I can get in 60 minutes. I don't usually get to the 4 mile mark in 31 minutes but I noticed today that as I was nearing the 31 mark, the 4 mile marker was just a bit up ahead and so I continued onto it and got there in 31:15. That only left 28:45 to get back, which I did not accomplish, but I did finish the full 8 miles in 60:55 which is much better than I have been doing. The encouraging part was that I felt much better doing it today. I was really just running comfortable until the last 2 miles or so when I had to concentrate a little more to continue that pace. I'm not breaking any speed barriers by any means, but after feeling pretty slow and out of shape on my recent runs, this was the extra little push I needed to keep going and keep positive!
In other news, Duke, who I had picked to win the National Championship, just lost to LSU. Humpf.
I have tomorrow off work because I work this weekend. I'm kind of glad about that. It will give me a chance to work on some homework and sleep in just a tad bit more than usual. That is never a bad thing!
Good night all!
Posted by beth at March 23, 2006 9:27 PM