It's still September!

So, today is the last day of September. This month was exceptionally busy since the work/school year has started again. Training has been a bit of a juggle to try and find a rhythm. The summer was great. Get up early (later than a work day) run, have a leisurely breakfast and get on with the day even when it was hot and humid. But my work day means up at 6am out the door by 7ish. For me, personally, I cannot get up earlier to run. I know me, it would not work out at all.  So, now it is trying to get mentally prepared at the end of the day to go out and run after standing on my feet all day.  I know I will have to try to work on leaving school a bit earlier whenever possible!  

And now for the September running report.....

Overall, some how September has added up to 58.5 miles of running. It amazes me! 

September 11th I ran a 10k. A bit more hilly than I expected. The route was behind Jericho HS in Brookville. It was really pretty with beautiful homes and rolling hills. My time was actually better than I expected: 1:04. I was totally satisfied. I realize that a 10k does take a toll on me. I was extremely tired the next day and yoga was difficult as well. I absolutely need rest time to refresh my legs, refresh my mind and repair the muscles. Somehow, in the midst of a busy start to the school year I have managed to put my miles in and stick (almost completely) to my coach's plan. Training, I have surmised, is always a work in progress. 

So, now I am gearing up for October. I plan on doing 2 races this month: 5K and a 10K.

I certainly feel ready but I know that after the 10K I will need that rest, refresh and repair and then continue to run. Today, the last day of September I ran 4 miles in beautiful temperate conditions this morning. Clear, minimal humidity, about 65 degrees. I think I'm looking forward to Fall running. Lots of Halloween decorations and fall colors to view as I run through my neighborhood.

August...even tho it's September!!

August is gone.......and September is here already. I had a busy running month in August. My coach and I finally have a cadence with training. Every week I send a schedule with my work/personal commitments and he sends me back a training plan for the week. I think we have both learned to be flexible to find the right combination.  It has worked well for the past 5 weeks. 

Altogether this past month I ran a total of 66 miles! And I way surpassed my goal this month to run 50 miles in 30 days. I am getting close to my previous all time high mileage of 75 miles. And that was about a year ago. I feel like I am definitely in a better place with my running.  I practice stretching pretty religiously; almost always before or if not, then afterward. This month was full of weather issues; an earthquake, awful heat and humidity; oh and a hurricane with torrents of rain!  It is amazing how I got 66 miles in; but I did.

I also realized that I cannot run and do yoga in one day. It took a toll on my body when I did that in August. Lesson learned! Rest day are for rest and/or yoga not to add in a long run! I can't believe I'm looking forward to some nice fall days to run. After our horrendous winter of tons and tons of snow I thought summer would be refreshing.  I only ran 2 races this summer. One in July......I had to actually wallk for a few minutes it was so hot......and one August 13th.  Sprint for the Sands Point Preserve 5k. This was a trail/paved path race. My first race with trails. It was definitely challenging! I ran on paved paths, sand, dirt, grass, rocks, dirt paths with roots and lots and lots of uphills...funny there seemed to be very few downhills!!  Not my best 5k time but satisfied with it since it was a new terrain to contend with during a race. Time: 33:55.6  My coach said to find something different to run...and this was it.  I did enjoy it alot especially because the vista was so beautiful looking either out on the Long Island Sound or at the beautiful grounds of the 'castle' at the preserve.  With all that said, August shaped up as a pretty good running month as well as an interesting one. Hopefully, all that training will help with making my 10k race tomorrow an enjoyable one! I'm looking forward to it! 

Now, I am officially ready to begin week #6. My 19th year of teaching has begun and my 3rd year of running.  I can truly say I am a runner; a runner for life. No matter how fast or slow, how long or how short I will always be lacing up my running shoes and going out for a run. I love it. It is a wonderful feeling of freedom. Oh! and besides yoga...it's a wonderful way to "take out the trash." I'm truly lucky to have my son as my coach. Adam...you're the best!

Stay tuned for my September running updates!!