Let's see if I can remember it all...

Well, I got behind again, but here's my best recollection of my running in the last two weeks or so...

I woke up Monday the 14th feeling nauseous, probably from dehydration, so I skipped my run. Instead, I did a 5K on Tuesday morning. (No clue how fast I did it, but it was nothing memorable.)

That Wednesday's speed workout was a fun one. It was 400 m relays. We worked with a partner, and one person ran one lap, then took a recovery as the partner ran a lap. It made it go by really fast.

Then I got up Thursday and did my last 5K on my regular Lincoln Park route. I felt no nostalgia at all.

I moved on Saturday (woo hoo!), so I did not do a long run. But I went on Sunday, and ran 7 miles on the south part of the lakefront trail, close to my new digs. It was very pretty! Next summer is going to be really nice. I ran at just barely under a 12-minute mile.

I used my new fitness room for the first time last Monday, and ran 30 minutes at a 10-minute mile. The room was not crowded, so I should not have trouble getting a machine when I want one. That's good news for the winter.

Wednesday's speed workout was NOT fun. It was mile repeats, which are never fun to begin with, but this time they involved running up and over a giant hill four times per mile. I hated every second of it, except for seeing a beautiful sunset during my cool down run back to the train.

I got up on Thursday and ran 3 miles outside, basically doing a lap around Millennium Park and Grant Park. Again, very pretty, and should be more so in the summer when there is more light.

I went home for a wedding this weekend, and I did not have time for a long run. But, I ran 3.7 miles by myself on Saturday and 2.9 miles with my mom on Sunday, which is only a mile short of what a long run would have been. Both were at about an 11-minute mile.

Yesterday I did a 5K on the treadmill at a 10-minute mile. Tomorrow's speed workout is 200 meter cutdowns (doing each repeat a bit faster than the last). (I never actually succeed at that.)

Four and a half weeks til my last race of the season. Should be a good one.

Another week down...

Wednesday's speed workout was nuts. Things are really gearing up, as most of the people on the team are in the final preparations for the marathon. We did "200 meter sandwiches." We had to sprint 200 m, jog 15 seconds, bound for 15 seconds, jog for 15 seconds, sprint 200 m, jog 15, bound 15, jog 15, sprint 200 m. Then do a recovery. Repeat 3-4 times.

I was tired when I left that one....

Friday I did a 5K in the morning, and Saturday I did a 7-miler at about a 10:45 mile pace. Tomorrow is another 5K day, then I'm back at speed work Wednesday.

I'm not sure I will get in a long run this weekend since I am moving (eeeeeee I'm so excited!), but I think even if I skip a week, I am still in good shape for the Hot Chocolate 15K on November 1.

No shin pain in several weeks. Some pain in my thighs, though. I think it is mostly soreness, but I should be careful not to push too hard at speed work. If I get another injury this year, I think I will scream. Like, for days. Stopping only to breathe.

Well, that was happy. Haha. Still loving the weather! Routing for no snow til after my last race. As it snowed for my first one this year, I feel it should wait for my last one to be over. (You hear that, Grandma Rich? I'm counting on you!)

My Grandma Rich was always in charge of the weather. :-)

Still going....

I'm still keeping up my regular training schedule! Last Monday I ran a before-work 5K, then on Wednesday I went to speed work. We did 200 m repeats, and I REALLY pushed myself. On the plus side, I did all 14 of my repeats in 56 seconds or less. (OK, OK, the last one was actually 56.08 seconds. But the rest were under 56!) So, that's less than an 8-minute mile pace. Granted, I could not have kept up that speed any longer than 200 m (about an eighth of a mile), but still. I'm pretty proud.

However, I was hella sore for DAYS. Actually, I'm still a little sore. But it was worth it.

Friday I did another before-work 5K, and Saturday I did a 6-miler at about an 11-minute pace. I think I could have gone faster if I hadn't still had screaming thighs from speed training.

Today I did another 5K, and I should return to speed work on Wednesday, barring any weather issues. No updated schedule yet, so I don't know what the workout will be.

Less than 2 weeks until I move! I'm excited to start using the in-building weight room on my non-running days. (Though I bet after I find out how hard it is, the excitement wanes. Haha.)

I'm still not as fast as I was last year or before my first injury, but I running pain free and enjoying myself, so I'm not too torn up about it. I have one more race this year -- a 15K. I'm not sure yet what my goal will be next season. This is the first year that I'll have a treadmill to use through the winter, and who knows how that will affect my aspirations by spring.

Loving the weather. Fall is the best time to run.