Back to Reality (and Running)

Want to catch up on my Florida trip?

• A Vegetarian’s Adventure at a Steakhouse
• A Manatee Sighting
• Breakfast and the Butterfly Conservatory
• Key West Eats
• Tour of the Indian River Lagoon
• How I Celebrated St. Patty’s Day
• Let Vacation Begin

I returned home from Florida on Saturday night. Our last morning in Miami was Thursday morning. Chris and I got up to watch the sunrise from the beach. It was gorgeous!

Then we ran 3 miles up and down the boardwalk. It was such a nice place to run!

After hitting the hotel breakfast buffet, we were off for the drive back to my parents’. Then Chris left Friday morning to go back to Albany since he had to be back for school.  I spent Friday at the beach with my parents. It was perfect last full day if you ask me! Leaving my parents was sad, but I’ll see them again next month. Chris and I had such a lovely vacation!

It was nice to have Sunday off before going back into work Monday morning. I decided I needed to get a decent long run this past weekend because I had kind of slacked on my training during vacation.

I headed out to the local bike path with 11 miles on my mind. I wasn’t sure how my body would feel for running for so long after not doing much on vacation, but I think the relaxation actually helped! I felt energized and my run started out great!

At mile 3, where the crazy hill begins, I felt like I didn’t have enough energy to get up the hill. I ended up telling myself just to suck it up and run it.

I ended up powering up the hill and stopping for a few seconds at the top to catch my breath. This one kills me every time! I ran four miles total and then turned around and did four more, and then stopped to drink some gatorade. I really like getting a big chunk out of the way and then mentally tell myself I can stop at my car for a drink.  A part of me wanted to stop at eight…but I knew I had to get the rest in or I would not feel prepared for my upcoming half marathon!

After my water/gatorade break, I ran 1.5 in the opposite direction, turned around, and finished it. 11 miles were completed, the day after getting back from vacation, in 1 hour, 45 minutes and 10 seconds, average 9:33/mile pace. I need to maintain under a 9:36/mile pace to PR this half marathon, and I’m going to do it! Its now crunch time.

Training Plan for this week:
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 3 mile run
Wednesday – 3 mile run/yoga
Thursday – Speedwork, 6 miles total, 3X1600 in 8:33 w/800 jogs, cooldown
Friday – Rest
Saturday – 12 miles
Sunday – Yoga
Total – 24 miles

Bring on the half!