Monday, 73 minutes, 8.25 miles (2.44 miles walking)
Mom came over and we ran in the morning, not quite as early as I would like but still with cooler temperatures than 3 in the afternoon. Of course, that still meant running with the temps in the high 70s and making sure to bring hydration along but at least we did not completely wilt. Once again, we talked a lot which helped the run pass quickly. I felt strong but also cognizant of my right calf/achilles. It feels okay but I know it’s tight so I’m paying attention to that.
Tuesday, 73 minutes, 8.54 (3.64 miles walking)
My right calf/achilles did not like the first few hundredths of a mile but after I focused on form, it settled down for the rest of the run and I didn’t notice it. I tried to focus on form throughout the whole run. Other than that niggle everything felt amazing, not tired at all. I loved the run and even pushed it a little on the last mile. The aerobic effort felt great. I probably should take it easy though since I decided to run 35km Saturday on my birthday.
Wednesday, 25 minutes, 3.65 miles, (4.38 miles walking)
I figured that I should probably start warming up before starting my runs, something I should have started years ago. I felt so much better starting the run and throughout the run. Now to make this warm up a habit.
Thursday, 73 minutes, 8.39 miles, (4.47 miles walking)
The heat and humidity affected me a little more today, not like a few weeks ago but I still noticed it. I likely did not hydrate enough Wednesday after that really long walk. Other than feeling a little drained I felt pretty good but it was hard to tell because I felt drained on a couple hills.
Friday, 73 minutes, 8.44 miles, ( miles walking)
I felt so much better today confirming my hypothesis from Thursday that I had not hydrated well. After my walk on Thursday afternoon I made sure to hydrate fully. I also got to use my new shoes, necessary after several hundred miles since I got my former pair back in May. Even though drenched in sweat, I felt really good in the last mile. At one point a thought flitted across my mind, a thought about how good I felt. I told myself to press into that, press into that good feeling. Wow. I felt great in that last mile.
Saturday, birthday run, 22.24 miles
I had a stray thought a while ago that I would have loved to run my age in miles since my birthday landed on a Saturday. I talked myself out of that since I definitely have not trained for ultramarathon distance. Then early this week I had the idea of converting the number to kilometers. That meant over 20 miles, a big jump but not a huge one and with the amount of weekly mileage I have averaged and a little planning I knew I had a short. So we headed to the Swamp Rabbit Trail for the first time in quite a while. I filled up all three of my bottles which Mom kept packed in a cooler with some ice packs while we ran. We walked at each kilometer which proved a mental boost and a way to break things down. Like yesterday I neglected to warm up (I definitely need to work on that) and at times my right calf/Achilles complained a little. It did not interfere with my form. Mom ran the first 20k with me. By this point all of my clothes were soaked with sweat which did not bode well (accurately) for some unfortunately placed chafing. I drank half of one bottle before switching out my empty bottle with a new one. I knew that my last 15k would go a lot slower than the first but I planned for it which helped me prepare mentally. After the turn around I finished up my second bottle just in time to fill it up at a perfectly placed water fountain and had that drained by the time I finished my last 2.5k. Yes, it got that hot. I got it done though!
Sunday, single mile, 1.50 miles, (3.50 miles walking)
My legs did not want to get going this morning. I knew that they would feel creaky after the long run so I settled in, okay with a slower pace and got it done. It wasn’t pretty but I got it done.