Week 5 Wrap Up and Starting Week 6

Last Thursday I had a great 2 mile run where I averaged a pace of 9:36.  I was very happy with that pace for that distance.  I am hoping to be able to maintain that pace of under 10 on my 3 and 4 mile distances soon. 

We spent the weekend at Sunnen Lake/Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO with my cousin and his family.  It was a great time, but a little more difficult to get in my long run for the weekend.  I ran 8 miles on Saturday back and forth through the camps.  I averaged an 11:09 pace, which is a good pace for me on a longer run.  Dave was running with me part of the time, which actually slowed me down because he kept stopping for drinks and bathroom.  It is nice having the belt now to carry water and chews. 

On Monday, Dave and I ran 4 miles together in the subdivision.  We actually ran mostly the same paths and met up here and there along the way but finished our run together.  We had stopped and ate lunch at Kreiger's on our way home from Sunnen Lake and had made the mistake of eating burgers and fries.  I averaged a 10:26, but I felt miserable the entire time.  My belly was aching!  Dave also had a difficult time running, and he actually ended up throwing up!  We learned a lesson from that one.

Today my plan is to run 12 miles after school.  We will see how it goes.  I have been running in the mornings for the first part of my training, but now that the weather is cooling I am trying to switch to after school.  It has been dark in the mornings and is almost too cool some mornings, so I am hoping I will have the energy at the end of the school day to still perform well.  I don't usually do my long runs mid-week, but I am signed up for a 5K this weekend so I need to get in my long run.  12 miles will be my furthest distance, so I'm excited and nervous for tonight's run.  I'm also looking forward to the 5K on Saturday where I am hoping for a personal best.

I have continued to just maintain my weight through the 6 weeks of training.  I go up and down the same 4 pounds depending on what I have eaten, how much I ran on a given day, and just the usually ups and downs.   I have noticed that my legs are firmer from all the running, and I just feel better.  Of course, there are days when I feel achy, too, but not so often anymore.  Well, I need to get ready for my day.  Wish me luck on my long run today!