that's never happened before.

Yesterday morning, I decided to knock out the last long run before the marathon.  My goal was to get in about ten miles, or so.  Naturally, I overslept because this has been an exhausting week.  My clothes were not laid out the night before, so I was in a scramble, trying to gather things up to get out the door as quickly as possible.  I couldn't find any of my running hats, and since the rain was coming down in buckets, I desperately needed SOMETHING.  So, I just grabbed a ball cap and left.
Generally, just getting out the door is the biggest running challenge I face.  If I can get started with a run, I always finish what I planned and will usually (if time allows) add on to my goal time.  I can't recall a time when I started a run, and completely quit a quarter of the way into the run.  Yesterday was a first, unfortunately.

I knew within the first half mile, that things were going to be off.  I truly felt like I was running in quick sand.  My legs were heavy and I didn't have one ounce of energy.  It was a struggle to get through the first mile.  And, while I was out, I kept noticing everyone's trash cans. Friday's are trash/recycle days around here.  Our trash was not taken out the night before.  The lunches were not packed the night before.  All three of those factors:  the exhaustion, the trash, and the lunches, completely interfered with the run.  I couldn't let go of the stuff I needed to get done at home.

Around 25 minutes into the run, I decided that I was done.  I couldn't run another step; I was just way too tired.  Usually, I can always talk myself into a few more minutes.  Not yesterday.  I threw in the towel at 28 minutes and called it a day.  I must have just been too tired to go another step because when I got home, I was still exhausted.  Normally, getting outside for a run is an instant alarm clock for my body.  Not yesterday.  So, I slowly got the lunches ready for the day and hopped in the shower.  I didn't even take out the trash or recycling, Josh took care of that.

I think the days of sleepless nights and not eating dinner are starting to catch up with me.  I've got to get back on track this week, if I want to finish that marathon next weekend.

Nine Down, Eighteen Coming Up!

Alrighty!  Finished a great nine mile run this morning with some sweet, sweet girlfriends.  I didn't feel too strong on this run, though.  My legs were tired and I just felt tired all over.  I didn't get much sleep last night, which may have been the culprit and I didn't eat very last evening, either.  The run was fantastic, though. You could feel the snow in the air, even though the temperatures were not bad at all.

My goal was to run ten or eleven, even though that was a bit more than "the plan."  I thought that Josh would be waiting on me to get home, so that he could get to work.  Which meant that I felt obligated to finish up.  It was frustrating to see that he was still sound asleep when I walked in the door.  Really, it's fine.  Nine miles is great, and there's probably a good reason behind the plan calling for eight.  (Maybe because marathoners get a little tired at this point?)

Next week is a LONG long run-  eighteen miles!  Yippeee!  : ) I am looking forward to challenging myself AND eating whatever the heck I want!  (That is why I run-- so I can EAT, EAT, EAT!)

Side Stitches

Today's run was awful. Awful, awful, awful. Within the first five minutes of the run, I knew it was not going to be a good one. I had a nasty side stitch on my right side. After getting about a half mile into the run, I had to walk. And, of course, that's what I did. For the rest of my time out on the road this morning I just walked. Even with walking, the side stitch did not go away. Once I got home and had a glass of water, I felt much better. So, I guess the baby just didn't feel like running today.

The positive of this morning's "run" was that one of my running girlfriends was out running. She is such a sweetheart: she actually stopped running and just walked the rest of the way home with me. These running friends are just too much!

My theory is that because the baby is situated relatively "high" in my belly, my essential running organs (diaphragm, lungs, etc.) are all scrunched up, which leads to the side stitches. Or, maybe I didn't feel well because of my dinner last night. Who knows?

I'll try again tomorrow, and will walk if need be. I've made it pretty far with the running and I'm still not ready to call it quits just yet. My goal is to make to the third trimester running. That's only two weeks left of running. I can do that....

Been a WEEK...

It's been a week since I have run!  I have felt so incredibly exhausted over the past week, that I simply can't drag myself out of bed in time to run.  Every evening I think, maybe tomorrow... This is a sign, I know.  Sleep now, while you can because in a few months you be up until all hours of the night and rising with the roosters.  

Duncan and I went on a two mile walk this evening, which felt great.  I'd like to try to walk more frequently, I just need to finish up with the dishes a bit faster each night.  

Anyway.  I'm looking to run tomorrow morning.  We'll see.  I'm pretty tired again tonight, but if I can squeeze in a nap tomorrow maybe I can make it work in the morning.  I've just got to get out the door before the little sugar wakes.  

nothing today

Blah.  I woke up this morning feeling a little nauseous, so I decided t fold a basket of clothes instead.  I should have gotten myself out the door, though, the temperature was perfect for running.  In truth, I'm glad I stayed in because I have felt kind of cruddy all day.  We had a field trip today, so there was a little stress and exhaustion involved with the tip.  Running this morning would have just made me feel worse.  Oh well.  I'll try tomorrow!