Returning after a short hiatus

This post is for yesterday. I ran three miles with my roommate at a conversational pace. It is amazing how much easier it is to run with someone else. It astounds me every single time. I guess I should explain that this week I had an interview and was traveling. Therefore running got put on the back burner. But I'm trying to make up the mileage!

Surprisingly uneventful yet slippery 9.3 miles

I ran 9.3 miles this morning outside. I was only able to do this because on Friday I went to the doctor and they gave me some antibiotics that actually seem to be helping! Also, the weather was considerably warmer than it has been recently. My friend biked next to me which helped to provide me with the "kick in the butt" to actually do my run. The sidewalks are mostly clear now but they aren't safe because most have nearly invisible layers of ice from the daily thaw-freeze cycle. So I choose to run on the road because I didn't want to break my ankle and I hoped the bike would add visibility. It is always interesting to see the way people respond to me running. I often get a jesting "I should be running with you!" or "Wait for me!". But what irritates me are the drivers who take it upon themselves to "teach me a lesson" about running in the street. They drive past very fast and honk at me from behind; they sometimes don't even change lanes. Which is absurd when there are multiple lanes and often I am even running in the bike lane. Though they don't know that the sidewalk is icy, it is rude to purposefully put a person in danger due to their belief that they have been inconvenienced. Enough of my ranting. I want to give a quick shout-out to randomly located portable toilets and bid you adieu!

Troubled tummy and competition

I ran four miles yesterday after dinner and convinced my dad to come with me. The problem with going to the gym after dinner is that my stomach always hurts while I run (because I eat chocolate and cheese and other unhealthy foods). I decided to run on the track because I get really bored in the treadmills. However, I also tend to get competitive when I run on the track. For example, yesterday I was basically racing this guy for almost a mile. Every time I almost passed him he would speed up. By the time he finally gave up and let me pass him, my stomach hurt so bad I was worried I would throw up on the track. So I ran the next half mile with my dad to give my body a break. I really should just not eat before I run, but I guess I still haven't learned my lesson.

minimal motivation

So, I ran the three miles today I was supposed to run yesterday. I'm honestly struggling to keep up with my runs. The only reason I was able to convince myself to go to the gym at all today was because a neighbor/acquaintance came with me. Tomorrow I am going with my dad so I will definitely go. I am not looking forward to the 9 mile run on Saturday though.... ug.

Why are gyms so awkward?

I ran five miles on the treadmill with music. It was boring.

I kept accidentally making eye contact with people running on the track. That was awkward.
I kept accidentally running in rhythm with the people next to me. That was awkward too.
Sometimes I zone out and it looks like I'm starting at people's butts. That is always awkward.

I didn't eat too much before I ran. That was pretty cool.
My knee doesn't hurt too much anymore. Which is really awesome.
I keep running 10 min miles. That is kinda slow.
But I ran five miles. So that's pretty cool.

Murphy's Law

So, this post is for Thursday. My training feels like it is following Murphy's Law. On Thursday morning one of my alarms went off REALLY loud at 4:30 am in my sister's apartment while I was in the bathroom. I wanted to turn it off as quickly as possible because cranky sister = the Kraken. And nobody wants to wake the Kraken. In running across the apartment to turn off the alarm, I accidentally slide sideways on their floor and injured my knee. Even just running from the car to the gym I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my left knee. I was torn between sticking with my training and listening to my body. My internal monologue was as follows:

Body: "Zita, you are training for a marathon, and if that means taking one day off, so be it."
Brain: "But all the millions and billions of people who read my blog will be disappointed!"
Body: "Well, you can't help it that you are a celebrity, your health needs to be first priority. Besides, weren't you worried about running making you more sick anyways?"
Brain:"Yeah I guess. But can I at least do elliptical?"
Body: "Hmmmmmm.... let's see if it hurts you. Maybe."

It turns out that it didn't hurt too bad so I did four miles on the elliptical. But even if you do the elliptical the same distance and pace as running, it is much much easier. However I am please with my compromise because I can't afford to have a bum knee once I start running higher mileage.

New year, old struggles

I didn't go running yesterday but I promise I will fit in all the runs this week. Right now I'm in Chicago visiting my sister. I ran three miles at her gym today and I made the same mistake I often make, I ate food before I went running. Also, I'm still feeling pretty sick so my running wasn't very fast. I'm not sure that running isn't preventing me from getting better. On a tangent, I am growing to detest treadmills; the one I was using today had a very inconveniently placed emergency button which I accidentally hit with my hand while running. The program erased my progress and I didn't have anyway to know how far I had run before I hit the button. But I just estimated my distance based on the time I started running. I am hoping to feel better soon.