Running and rambling

So after a little searching, Sara and I have found a race to train for.  Drum roll please...PRESIDIO 10 on April 18th in San Francisco.  I'm running the 10k distance and Sara is deciding between the 10k or 10 miler.  To keep me on track with training, I've chosen a training plan published in this month's Runner's World magazine.  The plan incorporates 3 key workouts: a tempo run, hill or track workout and a long run.  Cross training and easy running on other days of the week and at least one rest day. So my schedule for the week goes like this:

Monday-Tempo Run, 3-5 miles
Tuesday-Rest
Wednesday-Hill or Track Workout
Thursday-Rest
Friday-Recovery Run, 2-3 miles
Saturday-Long Run, 5-8 miles
Sunday-Yoga

Somewhere in there, I am hoping to fit in a Centergy class at the gym BUT since I can't run in the morning now, thanks to that lunatic (you can refer to my previous blog)...I'm not sure how I'm going to fit that in.  This week is Week 1 of the six-week schedule.  I have accomplished the three key runs and given the time change tomorrow, I'm not sure I will make yoga...bummer.  Seriously.

Today was my long run.  I got off to a late start because I was dilly dallying on the computer this morning.  I planned for 5 miles and ended up running 6.  Why? How?  Well let me tell you.  Sometimes on a run...you just feel good.  You feel you can go the extra distance.  Today was a mixture of sorts.  This is what I think contributed to me going that extra mile:

1.  I was feeling guilty.  I am so used to running long distances on Saturday, but lately, I haven't done so.  Running longer helps build up my mileage for the week and my endurance.  My goal is at least 12-15 miles per week.  Monday-I ran 3, Wednesday-I ran a total of 1 mile (warmup and cooldown) plus 8 hill sprints which let's say equate to 1 mile. So that's 2 miles for Wednesday.  So far--5 for the week. UGH.  I have one more day to try to make 12.  I could've ran 2 yesterday but my quads were a little sore from those hill sprints.  So I ran 6 today which brings me to 11 miles.  Darn it, I didn't meet my goal.  Oh well.

2.  The sun was out!  Such a beautiful morning.  Mother Nature has been out of control the past couple of weeks and even though I LOVE running in the rain, running with the sun out is equally pleasing.  However, she wasn't all that nice...she gave me wind...and I HATE running in the wind.

3. My ipod was playing some really good songs today.  At times, I  felt compelled to sing out loud.  I mostly wear my ipod during tempo and long runs and ditch it on recovery runs along with my beloved Garmin. I bought a shuffle for my first marathon so I wouldn't have to skip through a thousand or so songs on my other ipod to get to something I really wanted to hear.  I only put songs on my shuffle that I know I won't want to skip through.  Some songs that played today:

Is it Any Wonder-Keane

Life in Technicolor-Coldplay

Mony Mony-Billy Idol

Beautiful Day- U2

Beat It Up Right-Korn...yes really...Korn

Hold My Hand-Hootie and the Blowfish

I Gotta A Feeling-Black Eyed Peas

How We Do-The Game and 50 Cent

I can hear my sister already...poking fun of my music selection with the exception of Billy Idol--we share an unusual affinity for Billy Idol.  Her ears are more tuned to the likes of Jay Z, T.I., Mike Jones, Lil Jon.  Don't get me wrong though...I do love me some Lil Wayne.

4.  It gave me a little more time to think.  When I'm stressed, angry, or feeling blue... I run.  It's somewhat cathartic for me.  Not that I ever finish every run with insight or a remedy to a problem.  Sometimes, I just think about a hodgepodge of things, i.e., what to make for dinner, what should I wear to (insert event here), what movies I need to put on my Netflix queue...stuff like that.  Today I thought...Damn...my arms are long!  Is it just me...or are my arms freakishly long???  If you've ever ran with me, you've probably heard me comment about them.  I just don't know what to do with the excess...do they serve a purpose?  I feel like a monkey with these limbs dangling at my sides.

So there it is.  Week 1 and whole bunch of gibberish. 

Lesson learned.

A few blog posts ago, I shared how triumphant I felt upon conquering my first early morning run.  Fast forward a couple weeks to a few days ago,  I decided to put on my big girl panties and get up once again at 4:50 a.m. to run-- this time sans Jessica (bad move) in an effort to prove to myself that I could in fact get up without being held accountable to anyone but myself.  In that particular post, I also made a note to self to buy some mace...which I had not yet acquired (another bad move) and definitely could've used during this run. 

I started my run feeling pretty good, feeling triumphant again, thinking, Wow, I could really do this early morning run thing...this is great!  There were more cars out this time so I felt a little safe knowing there were people watching and I even saw another early riser getting their workout on on their bike.  On my way back and less than a mile away from home, I am running a short distance in an area that is not so well lit accompanied with shady trees and an uneven surface. The uneven surface coupled with the dim lighting force me to look towards the ground while running to watch where my feet land.  And then out of nowhere I hear a roar.  The roar came out of some lunatic that seemed to drop out of the sky and right in front of me.  I let out a terrified scream and yelled, "YOU FU$*!#G SCARED ME!" I could tell my reaction surprised him (go figure idiot).  His reply, "Oh my god..I'm so sorry."  I continued running fast and feeling scared, repeatedly looking over my shoulder.  I didn't recognize the guy and I felt his intention was to scare me.  I couldn't believe this guy thought it would be fun to get his kicks scaring a woman in the middle of a run...and in the dark.  Who does that??? Not a runner.  Even though this guy was clad in what appeared to be dark running clothes, it could've just been a disguise.  Because again...what kind of runner does that?  Most experienced runners are well versed in running etiquette so I was pretty shaken up afterwards wondering if he could've been a sex offender looking for his next victim. 

After work, I rushed to Fleet Feet and finally bought pepper spray.  I'm embarrassed that it took this kind of wake up call for me to go and get some because who knows how long I would've gone forgetting/procrastinating to get some.  I also tipped off the local police department and they offered to send out an extra patrol in the area. 

I'm fortunate that I wasn't attacked.  I feel foolish for going out that morning.  Needless to say, this was a lesson learned.  No running in the dark-not without a partner and pepper spray...but preferrably-no running in the dark at all (per John and advice...or should I say instructions I will be sure to embrace).  And always be prepared.

Early morning runs are possibly in my future...but for now I am pleased to say--I have pepper spray...and I'm not afraid to use it.

Be careful out there my friends.