A week in review....

Apparently my stubbornness won out in the battle against germs--not sick! Realistically, I was probably just feeling the consequences of allergies and lack of sleep (not that that combo isn't any worse!). I've been nice to myself since last week, but haven't slowed the training!

I ran my first 10-mile race on Sunday, the Cherry Pit 10-Miler in Edgewater, MD. The weather was GORGEOUS, mid-60's, sunny and breezy. The course was all hills, which made it significantly more challenging than a flat 10 miles, obviously. I knocked out the first two miles at 9:00/mi. pace, then slowed to 9:50/10:00 for 3-7. At mile 7 I ran into some hydration issues, which slowed me down and made for rough running the last leg of the race. My official race time is 1:45:24, which is actually only about 7 minutes slower than I would have liked. All in all, a great race.

I also swam my first mile this week! I went to the pool Weds. afternoon and cranked out 76 lengths like nothing. It was faaantastic! I'm going to start working in some speed work to make my swimming more challenging and hopefully build more speed and stamina.

I took Monday off, theoretically because it was after Sunday's race, but really because I was just exhausted! Tuesday I ran 4.5 at a 9:30/mi. pace and then did kickboxing after work. Wednesday I swam and made it to the gym in time for pilates. only for my instructor to be stuck in traffic...it was tres triste! Yesterday I ran 6.4 mi. with Crystal at an 8:50/mi. pace (that's crazy fast for me!!!), and it felt great. I've been having some nerve pain and sciatica issues the last couple days, but I'm going to chalk it up to having missed two pilates sessions in a row before I start to get any kind of concerned. I slept in this morning, but am planning on the gym for upper body weights and some elliptical/arc-trainer time.

I still need your help fundraising!

Cheers!

Brianna

I refuse to be sick!

So pilates went well on Wednesday, and after a late night out with the boys, I got up Thursday morning and ran a GREAT 6 miles with Crystal.

Unfortunately, around the middle of the day yesterday, I began to recognize that nagging tickle in my throat...I skipped out on my first class to sleep, but made it through my second. I was in bed by 10:15 and out cold within a few minutes.

I woke up at 5:45 this morning to hit the gym for weights and cross-training, but decided that sleep would better serve me. I'm not sure if I'll lift weights after work, but it looks like I'll be meeting Crystal at the pool at some point tonight...we'll see. I have the Cherry Pit 10 Miler on Sunday, so sick isn't an option!

LSD vs. Speed

So Monday I took off from training (due, largely, to a late night out on Sunday and an anticipated long day because of class and ASG on Monday).

Tuesday morning I was *supposed* to meet my friend Barry to run (he has to pass a physical fitness test next week), but he slept through his alarm(s), and I was left to my own devices. This meant that I ran a very fast (for me) 2 miles and went home limping from shin pain. Kickboxing was tragically cancelled (bad day at work meant I was REALLY looking forward to it), so I met with Barry Tuesday evening to run. We ran/walked 2 miles and by the time we were done, I was in PAIN. Clearly, at this point, my body would rather run a longer distance at a slower pace, than to run a short distance focused on speed. (Hence the title.)

This morning I met my swimming partner at the pool and cranked out 70 lengths (next week I'll hit 1 mile!!!). I totally still smell like chlorine, but I did enjoy swimming first thing in the morning.

Tonight I have pilates, and hopefully a relatively early bedtime.

Cheers!