Week 7: Eight miles

30:45 sec run/walk ratio
2:05:40 hours
8.43 miles
14.9 minutes/mile

It was COLD today -- the high was around 39 F. I waited until afternoon to run, hoping it would warm up a little, but it didn't really. So I bundled up as best I could and did it anyway. I wore long underwear under my leggings and tee-shirt and jacket, which helped quite a bit. I was still cold when I started out, but mostly it was the cold wind on my neck and hands that was making me shiver. I could have worn gloves and a scarf to start out with as well, but once I got warmed up after a couple of miles I was okay. I even got to the point of unzipping my jacket for a while in the middle of the run -- but never to wanting to take it off. I zipped it up again near the end, when the sun was getting low and it was cooling down again. At least it was sunny, which helped, especially when the wind wasn't blowing, but the wind was freezing when it did blow.

I almost was going to run at home today, because I wasn't sure if I'd be warm enough or too warm with what I'd decided to wear, and wanted to be able to come in and change. But I was also feeling very blah and reluctant to get started, and I was afraid if I ran at home it would be too easy to give up and bag it in the middle. I knew if I drove all the way to the park to run, I'd stick it out and finish the run. So I did. There weren't many people at the park today. My truck was the only one in the parking lot when I arrived at 2 pm, but a few people came and went while I did my run.

I felt good and kept up a good pace -- partly to try to keep warm! I didn't get tired, but my right foot started to hurt a few miles from the end. It felt like something had gotten strained or pulled on the top right over my ankle bone. It wasn't interfering with my stride, so I just kept going. Now it's a bit sore but still okay. I think I might be getting aches and hitches because I haven't been keeping up with my midweek runs. I ran on Monday this week, but skipped my 2nd 30-minute run because I was so busy getting ready for Thanksgiving. I should have worked it in anyway, I think, but I just was thinking about so many other things, I forgot about it. Now that that's over with, though, I will try harder. Weather is supposed to be good this week, sunny and a bit warmer, until Friday when it is supposed to rain. Saturday should be clear, though. So I should make it through another week!