Week Whatever

I left my schedule at home (I'm away from home this week) so I don't know exactly which week it is, but I do know I need to do a 20 minute controlled run, and then 10X100m strides... Or was it 200m?

Anyway, hey! It's been a rocky couple months on the old running front. I had to adjust to a LOT: trail running, running without headphones, running for HOURS rather than minutes, all balanced with work and job hunting and travel and friends and all the various ups and downs that come with having a personal life.

I'd like to pretend that I'm blogging now as some sort of significant update, but actually, it's REALLY cold outside and I don't want to go out and run quite yet. I spent the past 40 minutes googling stuff about ultra running, and running plans, and looking at ways to push harder (which is pretty silly when you're doing it as a distraction to keep yourself from actually going out and PUSHING... but as I said, it's cold today).

The half marathon was a few weeks ago, and man it was tough. The trail was beautiful, but the hills were not "rolling", as advertised... they were steep! Additionally, I was feeling really alone and lonely, and struggled mentally for a good portion of the race. Luckily I met a friend who ran with me for a bit, and she helped me not curse myself out for struggling.

My official time was 2:14:52, for 12.4 miles. Not scruffy, but not my dream either.

So that was that.

Next up is the marathon on November 1. I'm concerned, but not freaking out. Mainly my problems right now are where to sleep (hotels are very expensive, and I'm rubbish at camping) and what to wear. I think I might be able to make a bed in the back of my car? I'm still having a ponder about that, but I could practice in my driveway at least. And what to wear... well clothes, obviously. Probably the same stuff I've been training in.

Although I write this from a couch (in full running kit, with only thoughts of tonight's dinner in my head), I'm thinking about running... an ultra marathon. Or two.

My brain looks at a 50K or a 55K and thinks, "What's 4-8 more miles?"

There's one that happens almost literally in my backyard about midway through the year. And there's one in Utah on Valentine's Day, and another in CA in March that both are rated a bit "easier" ...

All my friends who I talked to have been running for years, and train hard. I'm impatient to get my time in, to be stronger and faster. I want to push myself and have repeated goals. Have I mentioned lately that I don't even like running all that much? But looking forward to challenges is addicting. And I've only been doing it for these past 5 months.

Good grief it's nearly 5 pm. I should get out and run... the hell am I doing, talking like this!!