First Trial: Commute Run

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5:45 pm in St. Paul.

40 degrees, sunset.

6+ miles on the Greenway.

To correct: puddles, the wrong bus stop.

First time route. Always a little scary. Unsure. Always a little slow.

Nonetheless, a wonderful run. Sigh of relief. A congratulatory beer.

"Weekend" with the Mr.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the weekend for the Mr. and self.

Fast-ish 5K both days. Trying to get into training.

Tomorrow, will attempt the first commute run back from work to home. Bought a running pack in preparation.

Weekday Darkness

Trying those pre-commute runs. Succeeded on Wednesday and Thursday. Succumbed to the warmth of bed and the Mr. today.

Not to excuse self, but am feeling stronger. Definitely stronger.

Getback

9:30 am in Minneapolis.

15 degrees F. Very sunny.

5k with the Mr. My 2nd day of recovery run. Notice the Mr. putting his running watch on. Rarely does. Am worried.

Yes, the Mr. sets out to chase his old high school time.

My 2nd day of recovery run. Mind you.

In the end, not too bad. Much better than yesterday. Up early tomorrow for a pre-work solo quickie.

Recovery Run

10 am in Minneapolis.

17 F degrees. Overcast.

Embarrassingly painful 5K with the Mr.

Nearly 2 weeks of bodily discomfort. Stupid pills. Stupid hormones

So difficult to build up strength through training. So easy and fast to get soft.

Get back up. Go. June 6th. 21K in 1:45.

Willing The Body

9:30 am in Minneapolis.

10 degrees F. Overcast.

Awkward 5k with the Mr.

Last night's fog crystallized on tree branches, on pine needles.

A magical scenery.

Unfortunately, body refuses to get moving. Lingering side effects of new birth control pills.

The Mr. kindly slows his pace to match.

Hoping for body to kick back into its normal sense soon.

Post-time-off / Pain

10 am in Minneapolis.

7 degrees F, very sunny.

Embarrassingly painful 5K.

Took nearly a week off because of wet snow and new job.

Feeling slightly out of shape. In pain from switching birth control pills.

Post-run yoga stretch. Tried to remember moves from Cindy's class at Bryn Mawr.

Always something to take away from an all-women's education.

Beginning of

9 am in Minneapolis.

5 degrees F. Very sunny.

Quick solo 5K while the Mr. sleeps.

Setsubun today. Lunar new year.

Negativity out. Happiness in.

Internship starts tomorrow. Ponder about getting back on Ph.D.

Still too early to act. Too scared to.

Signed Up

Rest day in Minneapolis.

Registered for Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, October 3, 2010.

Also registered for this year:

Minneapolis Half Marathon - June 6

Minneapolis Duathlon - August 29

Monster Dash Half Marathon - October 30

Training goal #1: safely finish the full marathon.

Training goal #2: complete the June half marathon under 1:45 to qualify for a spot in Corral 1 at the full marathon.

Much to work on.

Patience, diligence, honesty to the body and the mind.

Finding Zen

9 am in Minneapolis.

10 degrees F.

Light snow and wind.

Solo run around 2 lakes. About 7 miles.

Slow, steady.

Body holds up well, thanks to steamed milk and banana.

Too much on mind.

Drama involving an old friend. A trusted friend.

Just when you think you know someone...

Pounding the snow- and ice-packed pavement to quiet the mind.

Sunday Walk on Ice

10 am in Minneapolis.

Overcast 5 degrees F.

Wind chill -5 F.

Long walk on frozen lakes with the Mr.

Made way to the island in the middle of Lake of the Isles.

To the mysterious pyramid beneath the bridge.

And the channel to Lake Calhoun.

To the snow covered beach.

Met on the way:

Cross country skiers (on ice).

Ice fisherpeople.

A dog sledder.

Upper quads a little tight after many careful steps on slippery surface.

Solo 10K tomorrow.

Running with Mr. and Camera

9:30 AM in Minneapolis.

Sunny 13 degrees F.

Weekend run with the Mr.

My fast 5K = his regular run.

Spotted strange objects around Lake of the Isles previously. Wanted to capture.

Camera battery freezes after 3 photos.

Rest Day

No running today.

Body feels dull from chiropractic adjustments. Should be better tomorrow.

Body also feels hungry. Must not have eaten enough yesterday. Shouldn't have cheated on dinner with champagne and popcorn.

Note to self: Eat Real Meals.

Especially to run the first marathon this year.

SunnyWindyCold

9 am in Minneapolis, MN

Temp: 4 F

Wind chill: -15 F

A much needed long(ish) run. Lake of the Isles and Calhoun - roughly 6 miles.

Quads a bit tight. Hips back to normal from a fall 2 days ago.

Eyelashes freeze. Face remains cold. Fingers OK but backs of hands cold.

Sunny. Snow and sun very bright. Must find goggles at mom's.

Path between the lakes covered with sheets of ice. Yaktrax on mind again.

A big runner's high after the run - funny - when stretching.