A run and a hot bath

Man, I thought I might have been coming down with something. My husband was feeling sick on friday night, then last night I started feeling it. Not good. I don't get sick often. About once every 2 years. Thankfully I ended up feeling better after a couple hours this morning. I just hope that what I did today didn't aggravate it .....

Headed out around noon today to do my make up run for yesterday's pants fiasco. And - crisis averted! I was able to wear those same pants due to a clever idea from the husband - wear some running shorts over them. I got a new pair of shorts that are pretty tight fitting, so in theory they should help hold the running pants up? Turns out he was right, I wore the combo today with no problems. I really do love the pants, they are super comfy to run in and don't make me feel too hot or too cold. Just.. whoever approved that non elastic waist band should be flogged.

I have decided to start increasing my mileage now that I am comfortable with a 5k distance. My morning runs have been 3.5 miles. I am going to start going for longer runs on saturdays. I am going to work up to about 5 or 6 miles.

Today's was a 3.85 on the decently hilly Euchee Creek trail. As my luck would have it, about 5 minutes into my warm up it started to rain. Wth? Rain wasn't even in the forecast! Oh well, not like I haven't run in the rain before. I really tried to keep a good pace for the majority of this run, and minimize the length of my breaks. I did have to take a couple of mini 5-10 second breaks after running up some of the hills, but my longest walk break was 35 seconds. And one break to tie my shoe which I didn't bother to stop the clock for. I glanced at my watch when I had completed a 5k's distance - 31:06. My time for the whole run was 37:58, a 9:51 pace. Pretty damn good, I like seeing more of these sub 10:00 numbers! I pushed pretty hard towards the end of the run. Ankle hurt, right shoulder ached, my feet were wet, but I wanted to burn the rest of the fuel in the tank. My mp3 player gave me some good songs and I just pushed it. Felt great afterwards! Then the chill sat in... my clothes were soaked in cold, windy, rainy weather. Drove home and took a hot bath. Warm and clean at the same time? Sounds good to me! Now I just hope I don't end up getting sick since I just ran in that nasty weather. I've heard mixed things on whether or not running helps or hurts your immunity.

I am running a 5k next weekend. 

It feels like it's been so long since I've run one. Even though I have only ever done 2 in my whole life, and the first one doesn't technically count since I didn't exactly try to run fast. Anyway, I'm very excited to be doing another one. 2 actually, I am also doing one the following weekend.

And...

I'm seriously considering signing up for a 10k happening here at the end of february. I've looked up some training plans, and I think I can get ready for it in time. It's not like I'll be expecting to run super fast, I just want to do it and take the next step up for myself. 

Realization of the day - I am a runner. The thought is completely alien to me still. I have *never* been a runner. But now, yes, I am a bona fide runner. I run 3x a week. I get up at 445 am to run. I run in the wind and rain and darkness. I now have all kinds of crazy gear, tight fitting running clothes, spi belt, etc. that makes me look like a runner. I stretch. People must look at me and see a runner. That's crazy!!! 

Zeroing in on 20 lbs lost. Of course, we currently have sinful things in the house such as birthday cake. It's my husband's birthday tomorrow! It's been 2 years since I've been able to spend his birthday with him so I'm quite happy. I won't eat huge amounts of cake (that's his job!) but I won't deny myself a few bites.