Happy Monday

Last week's training called for a longer than usual tempo run and a shorter than usual "long" run,  because of the 10 miles required, I didn't get to my tempo run until Friday night.  I got home from work and settled the kids in.  I got their pajamas on early and hubby was just about done cooking dinner.  I headed out the door about 7:15 p.m. and it was already dark out.  I did not have high hopes for myself and had already agreed that as long as I did 6, I'd be good.  I ran on some side streets to avoid the party people heading out for an exciting Friday night.  Surprisingly, those side streets got me  through 6 miles and back to my corner.  Then the determination kicked in... I wasn't as exhausted as I thought I would be and hey, what's 4 miles?  So, I made it happen.  I even met up with my friend Stacy for the last 1.5 miles.  I got a cramp in my calf after about 7 miles but it wasn't that painful, more annoying than anything else.  I promised myself that I would foam roll afterwards.  Hmmm, yea, I still need to do that...

Post-run, I enjoyed a benefit that would usually be unacceptable after a morning run.  A nice glass of wine and a peanut butter sandwich.  All class I tell you!

Saturday was pretty lowkey.  The kids and I ran errands and visited my grandmother.  I even got to hang with my sister and my adorable nephew.

Cousin Love

Then I took a much needed trip to Trader Joe's.  I went in there hungry which is always a bad idea, but I grabbed my favorite hummus and veggie wrap while I shopped.  I got my basics for a quality runners diet.  Goat cheese, brown rice wraps, and all my greens.

What?  These aren't a superfood?

In the evening, hubby and I watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  It was about a boy whose father was killed on 9/11.  It was a really good story, but really difficult to watch, even 11 years later.  I was in the city on 9/11 and hubby was a first responder.  It was emotionally tiring and I was out like a light when it was over.

Sunday, I was up and out by 6:40 a.m. and heading towards the beach to run my 13 miles for the day.  I kept thinking about how one year earlier I was running the 18 mile tune up and injury struck.  It was the last race I did in 2011 and it was the last day I trained for the 2011 NYC marathon before deferring.  Well, that was last year and since I deferred, I CAN run this year.  So, I met my friend Tara and she joined me for a good 5 miles of running chat.  Then I did a second loop by the beach which is always great scenery, before heading home with 13 miles under my belt.

I refueled with an egg and some pancakes with ground flax seed and banana.  Shhh!  The kids don't know that I added flax seed ;).  Then I did the real hard work of the day, house cleaning and laundry.  I swear I'd run 50 miles if someone would just do all the housework for me.  Any takers?

Sharing is Caring: Some people find cleaning to be therapeutic.  I'll stick with running.  What's your preferences for clearing your head?