#slow running

ka-chow: it's done for today. my heart rate got to and stayed in zone 4 for most of this, and I definitely had to walk when it came to some of the hills, but it's done. 🥰

2024 killed my stamina. Or the mind games won. Or I lost my running mojo. Not that it matters, the results are the same. So I'm starting this year off fresh, rebuilding, and getting back to basics. In this case it is returning to the trusty Couch to 5k. Okay, I started on Sunday, not today. And with Week 3, because I am not completely starting on the couch.

The Deets

Zere to 5k, Week 3 Day 2

25 minutes total

9 minutes running plus a cool down of a 5 minute easy run

1.57 miles total

15:06 minutes per mile

Woke up to sunshine on this shortest day of the year! Which meant I definitely had to get out and bask in it, even if it is 22°F/-5°C, because every hour of sunlight right now is a gift from the universe. I was able to run most of the 1.5 miles, with a short break to walk for less than a minute. And this is the third run this week! The most runs I've managed to get in in months (and post mysterious back issues). I'm definitely still working on getting my speed and stamina back, but today it felt like I was moving in the right direction.

The Deets

1.51 miles

21:57 total minutes

14:35 pace

I went out with the goal of doing a speed run with 3 minute/1 minute run/walk splits this afternoon, keeping it under 14 minutes per mile. I didn't quite succeed, but I found myself pretty immobile for the past couple weeks after tweaking my back walking into work (aging is rough), so being able to actually make it out for a full two miles is an active accomplishment .

The Deets

28:18 total time

14:06 minutes per mile

2.01 miles

3 min run/ 1 min walk splits

Doves! I scared one while running but was able to get a photo of another

We woke up to 18°F to celebrate with the classic USAmerican 5k. Since Kız is still recovering from her endurance races earlier this year (and an... erm... memorable if occasionally very crappy bit of travel) , we elected to walk with a sprinkle of running. Usually she's dropping down to my pace and pulling me along to the finish line, this time it was the reverse. It's nice ending a race and not feeling like I left everything on the course.

And special love to the lady who was using us as her pacer, because we were definitely doing the same. I put my butt into gear when I saw her pass us as we dawdled to take lake pictures. That unspoken pacer/race buddy relationship is one of my favorite parts of racing. Also, look at that Lake!

Like! Look at her! Drop dead gorgeous Lake views.

The Deets

3.11 miles

47:37 total time

15:18 minutes per mile

First true cold weather run of the seadon

Lots of turkeys, one penguin

And one very special hand turkey for me

After what feels like three long and terrible unending weeks of late night work, I finally managed to scrape together the time for a tiny morning run. I've missed these morning runs so much and it feels so good to get one back. I didn't set any goals, allowed myself to be relaxed and not push myself, and while I wouldn't call it a true easy run (heart rate to high) it was an easy run in spirit.

The Deets

1.51 miles

22:46 overall time

15:03 pace.

It took both Princess and Handsome pushing me all day to make it out for my Saturday run. I just didn't have that umph, that get up and go, which given that it is November 2024, it is to be expected. But by 4:30 I had made it out the door and by 5:30, when I finished my run, it was pitch black. We have some dark days ahead folks.

The Deets

4.21 miles

1:02:39 total time

14:53 minutes per mile

5 minute run/1 minute walk

So wet. It rained-ish. I stepped in puddle. I stepped in multiple puddles.

Everything was wet