7-27-07 Easy, hot and humid

We ran almost immediately after work tonight because we wanted to go to dinner at a new restaurant, and we wanted to beat the crowd. I ran with Steph again, and we did another full 3 mile run, but it was hot and very humid, so it was harsh out there. Along the top of the dam, at least there was a semi-constant breeze, but whenever the breeze died out, it got hot quickly. Tomorrow will be another run with Steph, and on Monday I'll start increasing the mileage. These runs with her have given my thighs a chance to rest, and she's starting to push herself to quicken her time for the 3 mile runs. During the next week, I'll probably run the first 1.5 miles with her, and then finish the remainder on my own after she turns around.

Still counting down to the Midnight Express. There are a couple of people from the Coolrunning.com forum that will be running the race as well.

7-26-07 Another Nice 'n Easy

Steph and I did another 3 miler today. It had rained, and was like running in a steam room. By the time we got out @ about 6pm, it was still pretty warm, but it had rained HARD just about 3 minutes before - so it was nice and steamy. We took the run pretty slow and easy again, she wanted to go the full 3 miles again, and we did.

Next week, I'll go back to increasing my mileage. The shorter runs with her this week, seem to have helped my thighs a good bit, I don't remember them being sore at any point this week.

7-24-07 Nice and Easy

Well, I missed my run yesterday (Monday) because I had a homeowner issue that I had to deal with, and then had a meeting at the church @ 7pm. But I did get to run tonight - this is my "take it easy" week, so I will not be logging any long runs. Tonight I ran with Steph for her 30 minute run. Her podcast is messed up, so we just talked for the 30 minutes. I took it nice and slow, and didn't feel any real pains, nor burnout. I did, however, work in the yard on Sunday, so my hamstrings have felt horrible for the last 2 days. Not running last night may have been a good thing, after all. I won't run tomorrow (Wed is an off day), and Thursday I'll run with Steph again.

I'm very proud of her, instead of just doing 30 minutes, she wanted to push on until we finished a full 3 miles. I think that's the farthest she's run in her whole life. She made the comment that she NEVER could have done that 9 weeks ago. She was pretty worn out when we got to 3 miles, but she seemed happy with it.

7-21-07 - Road to Recovery

I decided to start to back down my miles for the coming week to recover a little. I had been looking forward to an 8 mile run today, but I didn't think that I realistically had 8 miles in me - given the feel of the last few runs. Instead, I opted to just run 3 miles back at my original location (at the dam, starting from the 'Start' line). The run was pretty good. I didn't push myself harder just because it was a shorter run, I tried to relax, and just enjoy the music and the scenery - get back into the recreational aspect. The hill between 1.25 miles and 1.5 miles (at the turnaround) is still pretty brutal, but at the top of it, I get to turn around and roll right back down it. My thighs have been feeling horrible during the last few runs, and the hurt a little today as well, but the shorter run didn't make them feel abused like the have been feeling. We didn't get out to run as early as we would have liked (stayed up to late Friday night), so when we got out, it was pretty hot and humid - not murderous, but still tough.

I told Steph that I may just run with her next week. She is on her final week of C25K, and next week is 30 minute runs for her. Shorter runs will be a good recovery week, then I can get back into the swing of things - hopefully with renewed legs!!!

BTW: I'm actually posting this on Sunday night - haven't had time to complete the post since Saturday. Given the choice between running or blogging - I chose to run!

I appreciate the comments some of you left on my 7-20-07 post. To be honest, I didn't think ANYONE was reading this blog, except for my wife, and family in Columbus, GA. The thoughts of support are greatly appreciated. I'm assuming that I was found on the Running Family Blog Directory.

Also, I am now registered for the Midnight Express. They finally opened up registration, and I took care of it Sat afternoon after my run. This will be a chip race (my first), so I get to do something new during this race. Me and Steph drove around the route (entire race is run through some neighborhoods) after I registered and got a map. I had forgotten that the race route takes me past my old Jr. High School (Richard's Warriors) - it has fallen into severe disrepair, but time marches on, I guess.