Hills and more hills

Well, this morning I got up early early and did my longest ever pre-work morning run. I set out for 5 miles which I really needed to do yesterday, but just got too busy and eventually too tired to do. It was low 40s and fairly humid since it apparently is supposed to rain today. I started out down Old Milton/State Bridge. The first mile was ok and I could tell I was feeling pretty good, despite the early hour and weather. I continued to the half way mark (which was on the down side of a large hill way past the Shell station) and diligently turned around to make my way back up that hill. At this point, it was maybe the 4th hill I'd gone up? 5th? Sheesh. Somehow, my little legs carried me back up till I was rewarded with a nice downhill (then more up hill/down hill all the way till the final .5) As I got to that last .5 of the 5 miles, I was feeling pretty good still and happy with my hill climbing! So, I decided to go ahead and continue the run back to the apartment, instead of finishing at the corner as usual. This got me to 5.46 so I ran just a little longer to get to an even 5.5. If only I didn't have to go to work, I would have probably gone for 6.

It seems that these early morning runs are good for me. I usually try to run late afternoon when I have the chance on weekends, but I find my energy is surprisingly high in the mornings, too. Of course, I'm sitting at my desk at work typing this at 9:45am and wishing I could just take a nap. I'm working at the running shop tonight, so it will be a long day ahead still. Oh well, at least I didn't compromise my run! I feel good about next month's 10K on Feb. 21st. Should be a nice race in fact.

Here's the nike+ graph for this morning (though I'm not sure why it shows so hilly. My speed didn't vary that much and the original graph looks flatter! I think the small box skews the actual graph.):

So it seems...

I've been able to get back into my pre-school morning run routine (say that 3 times fast). I've run Monday (of course it was Labor Day so I had the day off already.. sorta doesn't count maybe?), Tuesday and Thursday mornings so far this week! I do plan on going again tomorrow morning. Yea!! I definitely think that setting the alarm a little earlier helped get me out sooner. Of course, I was still a few minutes late to school today. I'm doing my best. I ran along Old Milton this morning instead of around to Webb Bridge Rd. I had forgotten that I was running there on the dark mornings since there are street lamps along it. Only issue is crossing Kimball Bridge Rd. I never seem to catch the light right. I don't like having to stop during a run, but feel stupid running back and forth along the sidewalk waiting!

This morning's run in particular was really nice! It was several degrees cooler than it has been lately (about 63-64 instead of upper 60s to mid 70s even!) and lower humidity. What a difference!!!! My breathing was good and my pace was comfortable. I think it's a combination of my recent consistency and the better weather. I am certainly looking forward to tomorrow's run now! :) Plus it's Friday! Woot!!

So, goals for this month?
-Continue my early morning consistency (despite it getting lighter later and later...)
-Follow my training plan for the HM (Zooma here in Atlanta on Nov 16th)
-Not miss any of my long runs!
-Continue eating right to lose weight....
-increase my walking bits after the long runs

Early morning run!

So I finally got my butt out of bed this morning at 5:30- actually woke up at 5 before the alarm and just laid there waiting. Got out the door at 6:15 just as I'd planned. Oops. Something I hadn't considered- it was still dark! Well, I was going either way. Luckily I know every single inch of the sidewalk, so I actually was just fine. I was going "fast" for me (about 10:20-10:30). It felt great. It was 68 degrees and 75% humidity (which the weather guy said was "dry air"??!!!) but overall it wasn't bad considering the normal daytime temps for August and it can often be closer to 80s even in the morning.

It was really nice to be out running. I'd missed it these past couple of weeks. Definitely beginning the schedule for the Silver Comet HM now. Feels good! :)

Tomorrow morning: 4 miles!

This weekend: Pt 3.