Against the Wind

So, since my last post, I have been a busy girl. Nothing new there of course. Aren't we all stupid over busy???

Thursday was a tempo run. I gave it my all. I was doing it during Mindy's surgery, and ran extra hard so it would be for both of us. Whew, was I tired when I was done. :)

Friday was a rest day. I hate to miss Coach Brian and all my peeps at the pool on Fridays. I'll be glad when this race is over and I can make a different day my rest day for a while.

Saturday was the long run. I had scheduled 12. Got up feeling good. Back was not nudgy. Got socks and shoes on without any grunting and groaning. And off I went, solo, this week. Started out feeling so good, I'm thinking I'm going to nail two hours flat. Woo Hoo. Hopping along. Even the traffic gods were smiling on me and I crossed major intersections without stopping. Planning my route as I went, I decided to turn around at the Massapequa Preserve, figuring that would be pretty close to 6 miles. In fact it was 5.75.

Then it all went to hell in a hand basket. The wind was in my face for FOUR straight miles. I was freezing, hand to yank my sleeves down over my hands. Nose sniffling something awful. And far more debris on the West side of the road than on the East. Can't imagine why that would be, but it added to the general feeling of annoyance.

My electronic buddy, Lola, kept telling me to increase my speed. Shut up Lola, if I could, don't you think I would?? Stupid *%$#*!!! Ended up finishing at a 2:07 time. Which was two minutes slower than last week. Ankle and knee both unhappy as well as my brain.

Joe tried to cheer me up, reminding me that solo runs lack energy. The conditions on race day could be perfect. Etc., etc. However, I was not to be consoled. Much work to do to break 2:10 in 3 weeks. Open to all suggestions from fellow runners out there. I really want this goal time!!!

Today I did the elliptical since I could not swim. (Mommy obligations called with a den full of girls post Junior Banquet.) Increased the resistance to level 3, did the cross-training program and still kept the strides per minute close to 160. Did some core work and shoulder exercises. Along with additional stretching to try to assist knee and ankle issues.

Today makes one week with no wine. No great poundage has fallen away but I will remain committed to this until after Flushing. This week I really must curtain the sugar temptations. The two together really should make a difference.

Tomorrow is a swim day. My bags are packed, and I'm ready to go!