a run in the rain

I decided to go for a run last night. And it happened to be a wonderful idea! And sort of horrible at the same time…but only slightly horrible. I don’t usually go running after work because it’s too hot at that time of day, but yesterday was something special, especially for the southwest. It was raining! 

It was so beautiful outside with the clouds and thunder and rain that I just had to get out there and run! So, I drove over to Reid Park and began to make my way around the course. It was a soft drizzle the whole time (soooo nice to run in) and there was only one problem: the lightning. I don’t believe I have ever run that fast to get from one covered spot to another. But believe me, I did. I got to one nicely covered corner and waited for a few minutes. It really felt like no one was out on the course except me. But then this macho runner came speeding by and I did a stupid thing and told myself to suck it up like him and get out there. Ugh. Why do I constantly try and compete with others? 

So I ran.
And the lightning continued.
And I ran faster.
And this continued on for about another 15 minutes until  the  weather settled down. I made my way around to my car in about 30 or so minutes and decided I didn’t want to stop. So, I made another lap around the Park. It felt great! I love pushing myself. My legs ache so badly today, but it was well worth it. :)

Total Miles: 5.87
Time: 1:00:39
Avg. Pace: 10'20"

I didn’t get a chance to do my postrun stretching. That’s something I plan to work on. Which actually brings me to something else: my goals. I made  a list of nonspecific goals for this next semester. I feel, just with my past experience, that goals are super important with a sport as challenging as running. It’s challenging because you don’t have a team to help you out with training and whatnot (usually). That’s where I’m at anyway. I have yet o join a running group and so I am doing this all by myself. Which is very hard for me to do, obviously (see previous post…).

I plan on doing a lot of things with my running this coming semester. I have a marathon to train for, I have groups to join, and I have a lot of training to do; training I’m not used to. One of my future posts will be this list excepted revised and more specific. Call this a rough draft. So, here they are:

*Run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Phoenix Marathon in January. (woohoo!!! my first one!!!)
*Run a half Marathon before that. (for kicks)
*Drink more water
*Stretch more (after every run)
*Warm up! (I’m really bad at this one. I usually just jump into a run)
*Join a running group! (whether it’s  with my school or a group around town, but it should be organized, so no groups of friends…we’ll get nothing done!)
*Read a running book or two (another just for kicks) :)

That’s about it for now, goal-wise. I’ll definitely revise this, and perhaps add some more. There’s always room for improvement, right? :) I'm always searching other runners blogs looking for good goal ideas. If you have any goals that stand out,I love to hear about them! :)

I’m back! And new rule, effective immediately.

I don’t even know where to start. I’ve been gone for far too long. That’s what happens when “hiatuses” happen. So, here’s my new rule:

NO MORE HIATUSES…EVER…AGAIN.

I’m serious. I will find a way to get to a computer and update my life, running, whatever …even if I am in the middle of nowhere. There’s usually a way. Because you know what happens when I take “hiatuses” from my running blog??? The answer: I don’t run. :(

Totally lame, but a fact of life. I got in about 2 WHOLE RUNS during my original 2 week break.  But that was mainly due to the uneven jeep trails that tore up my ankle (sad day). The two weeks after that I have no excuse. I didn’t run or train at all. So that meant I couldn’t run the 5-miler (my own punishment for myself).

Last week, I went back to camp as a counselor (on Mount Lemmon!) and decided I only had a few weeks until I needed to start training for the marathon in January. I decided to run on my breaks and do hill workouts (what else is there to do on a mountain??).  I felt really good about those runs despite the fact I had left my Nike + at home. But, in a way, it felt really good to not be constantly looking at the time and my mileage. I did have my IPod, so I didn’t go crazy, but it felt really weird without my Nike +. I’m just saying. It’s not like I’m one of those “naked” runners. :) 

So, moral of the story (and the past 5 weeks) is that I wasn’t doing what I should have been doing. BUT…there’s a lesson in this ( No worries, I DID learn something people. J).  I learned that I need a  schedule.  What an important, must-have item for all runners. And I didn’t realize it until now. I was running with the idea of running on certain days, but obviously, that didn’t work. SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE! Super important.

I didn’t get a chance to run since I got back on Friday because I have to be to work at 7:30 AM everyday and waking up earlier is difficult to do. My solution to this is to either wake up at 5:30 and run, or run at night, despite the intense heat. Whatever I decide, I need to decide soon, because training is approaching and I still need to find a group to run with. My next post will be on my goals for the upcoming semester and hopefully *crosses fingers* an idea of a training plan. I want to get out of the apartment and run around Reid Park tonight. Hold me to it! :)