Slow going on this whole blog thing...

I haven't blogged in a while, but I am going to today :)

July 11th - July 19th summary:

M July 11 - OFF (Foiled by Whoopie Pie)
Tu July 12 - 3.2 miles (El Husbando made me run FAST) (26:21)
W July 13 - 3.8 miles (35:16)
Th July 14 - 3.2 miles
Fr July 15 - 3 miles
Sa July 16 - 5 miles (46:53)
Su July 17 - OFF
M July 18 - 3.2 miles (27:32)
Tu July 19 - 4 miles (37:00)

Although I have not been motivated enough to find the time to blog about my training, I have still been running :)

Let's start where I left off:

On July 13, I ran with my friend who has been running for at least a couple years. It went smoothly. We did about 3.8 miles and we stopped at the half way point to stretch. We talked through most of the run and it made me miss running with a team. Don't get me wrong, one of the best parts of being a runner is getting the chance to step out of the world and into your mind for x miles a day - you can daydream, ponder life, enjoy the scenery, rock out to music, people watch, ect. But, sometimes its nice to have someone with you to experience the day's training. It is bonding.

July 14 & 15 were good runs, nothing special to note...or I have forgotten by now.

July 16th (Saturday) was the longest run of my training yet - 5 miles. It felt decent. In 16 days of training I have come a long way. The last time I ran 5 miles was during the Indianapolis Corporate Challenge 5 mile race (September 2010). I completed that race in around 41 minutes (I did not train much). A time of 46:53 for my first 5 mile training run suits me just fine.

July 17th I took off.

July 18th (Monday) was a turning point for me. If I was to write a separate post for this day, I would title it "If only my shorts hadn't been falling down" because I think if I did not have to continuously pull up the shorts I was wearing, I would have been speedy. This was the first run that I actually truly enjoyed the feeling of running. I have not experienced this in years. It was wonderful. I liked the way I was breathing. I liked the way I was sweating. I experienced the notorius "runner's high" during my run. Amazing. I felt like a runner, not just a jogger, not just someone trying to shed some weight, a real runner. If this would have been a separate post, I would end it with: I am officially hooked.

July 19th: no more messing around. I found another blog to follow. Another person from my hometown. She seems like a fantastic distance runner and I am excited to follow her and learn from her and be motivated by her. I was totally motivated by the blog and by my run the previous day. Another 3.2 mile day was slated - scratch that! 4 miles: NO MORE MESSING AROUND. Although it was hot, I did it. And it felt great. Not as good as Monday, but it was good. I shaved a full minute off of my last 4 mile time. I felt strong despite the heat, and my ambition is growing.

I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout...

(a Harry Potter review is coming as well)