Michelle's Running Blog

I slept so good last night it was sad when the early alarm went off to go running.  I went inside today because it was pretty cold and a fair amount of snow on the ground.  I used to hate running indoors but I am now learning to appreciate having an indoor option.  It is nice that I still ran 4 miles and am not sitting here freezing cold.  My neighbor used to never run in the winter because she would loose her motivation and would not go outside.  Now, she will brave the cold with me most of the time.  I guess we have helped each other find a happy medium.

Running on a flat track inside also helped us to run faster.  After the first mile my neighbors watch said we ran a 7:50 pace.  We were running really fast and I was tired but I am pretty sure her watch was a bit off.  I don't think we were that fast but still, we ran a lot faster then we run on the hills outside.

I ran outside today with an extra layer.  I checked the temperature before I left and it said it was 14, but felt like 5.  I am really ready for warmer weather.  This morning when I was getting ready to run, there was a little light outside instead of pitch black, that is promising.  

The 4 miles was good just a bit cold.  Now I am ready for a hot shower!

I did the P90X yoga workout but only half effort.  My daughter was not feeling well and kept crying at my feet for me to hold her.  I took her to the doctor today and they gave her some eye drops for her gross eyes but there was not ear infection.  I suppose even yoga only done at half effort is better than nothing.

I was surprised how easy my run felt this morning.  I did not sleep well last night and I was really tired and groggy when I woke up.  Running has felt a little more difficult lately so add in a bad night sleep and I was expecting a hard run.  Lucky for me it felt easy and went by quickly.  I love days like that. 

An added bonus is that it was "warm" outside.  MSN said it is 32 and feels like 25.  That is an improvement to 14 feels like 7 that we had on Tuesday.

P90X cardio workout. 

I met Carolyn and Michelle for what was going to be an 8 mile run at the Hiline Trail.  Carolyn ran 18 today and wanted Michelle and me to run 9 so she would be half way done at the end of our run.  So, one more mile, no big deal, we did 9 with Carolyn. 

There was quite a bit of snow on the trail today.  We guessed between 40% and 50% of the trail was covered in snow.  I am really looking forward to summer.

I had to slow down a bit as the run progressed.  I get winded at my old normal pace.  My new easy normal pace has slowed about 30 seconds.  I am lucky to have good running friends that will slow down a bit with me.

As I am writing this, Carolyn probably has about 1-2 miles left on her 18 miler.  Way to go Carolyn!!

We are off to take the kids to the swimming pool!