I did a long run yesterday (8.5m), and it was ROUGH. It’s been all gravy-train-sugar-clouds for the last few weeks coming back from the injury, but dudes—yesterday running humbled me and slapped me back into reality. Running is hard guys.

As soon as I took off, my quads were screaming and tight. I probably stopped 15 times during this entire run to stretch, walk and catch my breath. The only reason I finished is because everything in my lower body finally loosened up at the halfway mark. The humidity was brutal. Even when i slowed down I couldn’t take deep breaths..then it started raining, helped a little but not really. I could have been running through the Amazon for all i knew. Humidity and me do.not.get.along. Side note: i’m running hills almost daily because of where I’m living now. Not always fun, something is always sore or achy even when pace slows way the heck down. I’m going to enjoy every minute of flat Philly & Chicago in a few months!

The hard work from running hills, in heat and humidity will shine through come the fall. That has always been true, so i’m trying not to to be discouraged with a bad run. They happen. The love for the run happens on those random days where everything clicks unexpectedly and makes all the hard work worth every humid second.

On days where i’m not building mileage I have been working toward keeping myself happy. I’m trying new things, eating at new restaurants and focusing on just plain, being happy.  When my friend Marie came into town we went stand up paddle boarding for the first time & did boxing drills at my gym.

Last weekend our gym worked a church event and we all attempted Zumba. I’m NOT coordinated..and no, i don’t believe there are pictures of us doing Zumba, but it happened and it was a hard, sweaty workout.

At the same event I got to rock climb.. that was a VERY fun first and will not be the last. Thank Bob I started doing more pushups and pull-ups because my forearms were feeling it!

And… I got to bounce on this thing. Don’t know what it’s called but i’ve seen it at the mall and carnivals and stuff and always thought it would be fun. New and fun. For about 2 minutes then i was over it. Trampolines are where it’s at people.

 

The rest are a little random, and not fitness related, but all in the same—Try new things! Like wearing my hair a little differently…

Or having eggs benedict on a waffle…

Or drinking a craft beer that is made with Old Bay seasoning…

And last but not the end of these showing up on the blog… Taking a few minutes from my day to watch the sunset. I’ve been working late most week nights and i now take the time to step outside of the gym, breathe, relax and enjoy the different colors that each evening brings.

 

Workouts!

Monday: “The 120″ Workout, 15 abs

Tuesday: 30 min total body cardio workout, 3m easy 8:45/pace

Wednesday: 6m track workout 4 X 800s 7:40/pace

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 6.2 easy 7:58/pace (flat terrain = huge difference in “easy” pace)

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 8.5m easy 9:01/pace

Total: 24.3

What new things have you done lately?