The Pembroke Nine

With the rainy day and the accumulating laundry, I decided to drive to my apartment so I could wash and dry the clothes and get in an easy nine miles. My energy level was down, and found the run more difficult than usual, but I made it through. The light but steady rain was pleasant. I'd made plans to run this Monday morning, but my sleep was interrupted by a sobbing child, creeped out by the beetles flying against her window. Sometimes having a ready-made family is hard (especially when trying to sleep through the night). It took me two hours to get back to sleep. At 5:15 when the alarm sounded I knew I wasn't going to make it. Maybe I'll hit Pembroke again this evening.

A quick 3 before bed

Right after dinner, Zoe suggested we go on a jog (translation: I run, she bikes alongside me, which is even better for me since it makes me focus on speed for a change). It was already ten till 8, nearing her bedtime, so we had to make it quick and short. Beautiful evening sky, with the pink bands of cloud reflecting on the bay, reminding me how beautiful it really is here. Not that I needed reminding. I ran at a good, fast pace. I need to put in a good 6 today, at least. What I may have to do is just drive myself back out to Pembroke where I used to run, where running 9 miles was a piece of cake. So far, not a fan of Eastport running.

We got home to Rob on the couch engrossed in our new copy of The Hipster Handbook. I cooled down with this, as well, reading about the milieu of hipster greetings (and the ones that are considered midtown by the socially-aware), before showering and joining Rob and Zoe to watch Lars and the Real Girl. Good movie.

Back in the saddle again

I love that song.

Anyway, I've been getting into a more regular schedule with running (ie. twice a week). I ran on Sunday and Monday last week (3ish each day), and Monday of this week (close to 5 miles), though the ferocity with which I ran this week has left me nearly debilitated (sensations not unlike post-marathon quad soreness. I'm having a hard time on descents - stairs, hills, sitting in chairs, etc.). Still, with the weather finally getting warmer, it's been nice to get out and move. It's been so rainy here this spring, so I'm taking advantage of all the nice days we're having. I would've run yesterday had I not been experiencing such discomfort. Same goes for today. I even set my alarm for 5:50, just in case I should be feeling more spry, and could take advantage of my time in the am (with a trip to the DMV in Calais and the ridiculously glorified 8th grade graduation monopolizing my afternoon and evening) but it was not to be. Maybe tomorrow morning. I've got to get cracking on my training...October 10th is a little over 4 months away, and those 26.2 miles aren't going to run themselves.

Trying to keep up

I've managed to squeeze in a few substantial runs over the past few weeks (a 10-miler with Shelby, a 5- or 6-miler with my sister and brother, Kellie and Taylor, while visiting Maryland last week), but the days are somehow getting a little shorter each week, with my two college classes drawing to an end (concerts for which to prepare), illustration and poster deadlines to meet, work, and a wedding to plan. Small as it will be, it's still more for me to consider. I still can't believe it. A run is in the cards for tomorrow - morning or afternoon...

Keeping my word...finally

I committed yesterday to running with Eric and Andy this morning - hills/speed work. I've been getting more sleep lately so I was feeling more up for the challenge of rising before dawn and meeting up with them at 5:30. I was so glad that I did! While the steep hills of Eastport were no easy feat, and I was continually lagging behind, watching the two men fade to tiny specks far ahead of me, I was thoroughly enjoying myself and then blessedly snow-free morning. I'm not sure how many miles we logged, but I was out there for 75 minutes, whatever that was. Looking forward to doing it again soon... Thanks, guys!

Winter's last stand

When I headed out to run on Saturday morning, I noticed bits of debris sailing through the air. I at first dismissed it as trash, at this point preferable to snow in the second week of April, but as I got started I realized that it was, indeed, snow. Yuck. It was a lot chillier than I'd anticipated, but I did about 5.5 miles with a focus on steep hills (my calves are still feeling it two days later). I'm in good spirits, though: there are a lot of things coming up to which I'm looking very forward, including an early May visit from my family, sister and her two wonderful babies included, so the running's just another way to celebrate my happiness. And the snow today has finally stopped, giving way to sunshine. Have a wonderful day!

Warmer but still windy

Temperatures were up and the sun was out (I overheard a gas station attendant say that it was 50 degrees at around 4:30 - not bad). I went out for a 4-mile jaunt around Eastport. Windier than I'd like, but still very pleasant. Good head-clearing, stress-busting run. Happy Good Friday!