Monday Madness: Dragging Along

     Today was definitely one of those Mondays. It was a long weekend and I was not ready for the week to start. I didn't get to run before work and I think that was definitely part of my problem. Mix that with a lack of sleep and not eating well on Sunday since we were gone and not taking my vitamins this weekend and you have a bad start to the week. It's all my fault, I know. But that's enough of me whining cause that could go on for a while if I let it.
     So after work, I was determined to get my first run in after the race, the run that would start the training for my 10K. Let's just say, I wasn't feeling it. I decided to try a new course today to try to get myself out of the funk. I did it, I covered the distance but I took it pretty easy, I ended up walking more than normal. It took me almost 40 minutes to do the 3 miles. My mind just wasn't in it and my body wasn't feeling very powerful. This has been the first day since I started running that I didn't really enjoy it but at the same time I am glad that I got out there and did it for myself. Because after all, I am running for me, myself and I. Do you have any tips for getting yourself out of that funk and getting into the groove for your run?
     Today I also added a couple new things to my training. Tomorrow I really start my strength training but since it is the first of July I thought that I would do a couple month long challenges. I am doing a plank challenge as well as a squat challenge. I will post that schedule as soon as I put them together in a chart so you can do it along with me. 
     I also started something totally random. On Pinterest, I had found a pin that was about learning to do the splits in 2 weeks and so I decided that I would try it. We will see if I can actually do them in 2 weeks or not but either way it is a great stretching routine that I thought would benefit my legs for running. 
     I really should go take all of my vitamins now, that's a whole different story but I am thinking that I may benefit from adding iron soon. I will talk about that soon as well as a couple other vitamins I added when I started running. So until next, get out there and show the world what you've got! I'll be running... for me, myself and I! 

Monday Madness

When I woke up this morning, I could tell that it was a Monday. It had been raining though the nit and was really cloudy when the alarm went off at 6:45. Let's just say that I hit dismiss. I didn't want to run in the rain. So I slept just a little bit longer and then I was up. I got to thinking, if I don't run this morning, when am I going to run today? I kinda laid a guilt trip on myself. A little rain never killed anyone right? I mean there wasn't any thunder of lightning. So why not?

So it was about 7:30 when I left the house, shoes laced up and ready to go. I had a hat on to keep the rain out of my eyes and there was nothing that was going to stop me. I got to my parking spot at about 7:40. I decided that this morning I was going to try and run without music, and just run based on how my body felt. I wasn't sure if that was going to work at all, I wondered if I was going to get bored. So I decided that I would bring my earbuds with me just in case. I think it was when I got out of my car that I decided to run the farthest I have, 4 miles. I figured, why not? If I didn't do it now, I wouldn't get a chance to before race day and I wanted to have a longer distance under my belt. So 4 miles it was! I ran the 5k route plus along the route there is a track so I got the extra mileage there. 

It barely rained while I was running, just a few sprinkles. The temperature was nice, there was a breeze part of the time too. I just had to run around puddles and I got some mud on my legs when I got the the gravel or supposed to be gravel track. The first 3/4 of the lap was fine but the last 1/4 was quite soggy. Oh well! I didn't it anyway. Then it was back on to the road to get back to my car. I'm guessing a little more than a mile left at that point. From that point on it is a steady hill but I was determined to finish strong this time. I did much better than I had in times past. And when it was all said and done, I did it! 4 miles in 50 minutes. Not as fast as I would like but still something to be proud of. It equals out to 12:30 miles. I know I'll increase pace as I go. 

Well, that was my run for today! Tomorrow I am going to run 5k. So now it's your turn! Lace up your shoes and get out there! Let me know what you accomplished today, whether it be treadmill, trail or road, just get out there!