Its fall and running is great!

Hello everyone,

It's the weekend!  Yay!  I had a great week of running. Last Sunday Jalen and I ran 9 miles at the Santa Monica boardwalk.  It's always such a beautiful run.  The sunset was absolutely beautiful.  Our pace was 8:24 minute miles.  I'll be honest I wanted to stop at mile 3.  My lungs felt fine but my hip was really hurting and my legs always start cramping.  I think that has to do with not properly warming up.  After mile 4 I finally got a good stride and started feeling better.  It's always the first few miles that hurt the most for me. 

Monday is our stretch and gym day.  I lifted arms and did a few core workouts.  By a few I mean one. hehe.  The core is my worst enemy I think because it is the hardest to workout. 

Tuesday we ran a short 3 miles late at night.  I like running at night when Jalen and Rio get to come with me.  Let me tell you my little papillon can run. 

Wednesday I ran by myself at the beach again.  It was raining all day so the trails were a little muddy but still fine.  I wasn't properly dressed for a cold run but I ran anyway.  It's easy to just give up or make excuses especially when you're not comfortable or you forgot something that you absolutely can't run without.  I struggle with this all the time.  If I forget my running glasses, watch or shuffle I just wont run.  This is something I'm trying really hard to work on.  Sometimes we need to remember why we are really out here running.  It's not suppose to be about all the stuff but about being able to put one foot in front of the other and just run.   No distractions. 

I switched days off this week from Friday to Thursday.  Friday I picked up my boys and went for a 3 miler before dinner.  My stomach really hurt while I was running.  I'll confess I stuffed my face with 3 mints and chips minutes before.  This probably wasn't the best idea.  I paid the price by cutting my run short.  I was suppose to run 5.  Lesson learned. 

Saturday morning Jalen and I ran the Beverly Hills trail.  We ran 5 miles at 8:49 pace.  This is one of my favorite trails.  It is full of runners, people walking their dogs and beautiful trees.  The other nice part is its shady the entire way.  We also ran half of it through the neighborhood and past a pumpkin patch that we will be attending tomorrow.  :)

Mornings now are a little chilly which is great for runners.   I never use to be a morning person but now it is my favorite time of the day.  The time change is right around the corner so I'll be switching to morning runs during the week as well.  My body feels so much better when I can get a run in before work.  Especially because I'm usually sitting all day. 


This morning was my 11 mile long run.  I made sure to stretch and warm up for this run.  I only had a glass of water and half a banana before hand.  I had to stop at mile 3 to use the restroom.  This made me a little grumpy.  I think this is something all runners struggle with especially during a long runs.  When you got to go you just have to go.  Yuck.   My watch also gave me problems this morning.  It kept turning off.  Once we got to mile 4 the boys stopped and drove home.  I ran home.  The weather was perfect and I had a great stride.  One thing about long runs is you have lots of time to just think.  I try to get lost in my music and in the run but sometimes when you have a lot on your mind it is impossible. 

My diet this week was over all pretty good.  I snack so much during the day because if I don't I will be very bad at night.  I snack on lots of fruits, vegetables, almonds and string cheese at work.  My favorite juice right now is tart cherry juice.  I read about it in runners world magazine.  It is really good at reducing pain and inflammation from long runs. 

Well anywho my week of running was overall a success.  Jrose and I run our 2nd half marathon in exactly 2 weeks.  Although we won't be running the same race I know we will be right next to each other in spirit.  I'm anxious to see how we will both do running alone.  EKK!!!  Well until next week my friends.  Have a lovely day!

"I like running because it’s a challenge. If you run hard, there’s the pain – and you’ve got to work your way through the pain. You know, lately it seems all you hear is? Don’t overdo it’ and? Don’t push yourself.’ Well, I think that’s a lot of bull. If you push the human body, it will respond." ~ Bob Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers general manager, NHL Hall of Fame.