Addicted to running

I did 3 easy miles on the treadmill since I'm still a little sick.  When I got off work I did 2.5 run/walk with my wife and son then did half a mile at around 8:00 pace.

This was the first running of this race so I thought I would run it.  I haven't felt that great this past week and my legs have been sore since last weeks race so I was planning on taking it easy.  We had a 30 min. delay in the start because of thunderstorms.   I started really fast and felt alright for the first few miles.  Me and about 15 other runners missed a turn somewhere and they wanted us to make a loop on a road to make it up.  We were running down the road and a volunteer told me and the other guy to stay straight up ahead.  When we got there the lady told me to turn and the other guy to go straight.  I was confused so I stopped and then another runner told me I needed to make the turn.  Anyway we ran close to a half a mile to far.  My gps was off the rest of the race but it was fine with me.  I was running it for fun anyway.  The course was really hilly but it was pretty fun.  We got to finish by running 3/4 of a lap on the college track.  It was a great way to end the race.  

6 easy miles today.  It was pretty warm today I think mid 80's.  My legs were a little tired but I made it.

I ran 3 miles on my lunch break and another 2.5 run/walk with my wife when I got home.  My legs feel better.

4 miles on the treadmill.

4 miles on the treadmill.

4 miles on the treadmill.  I did 3 miles after work pushing my son in the jogging stroller.

6 easy miles this morning.  I ran around a 8:45 pace.  The weather was nice.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife later in the day. 

This race is held at the Talladega SuperSpeedway.  I've been once before for a Nascar race but its been a while.  My wife and son decided to stay home and sleep in, so I drove the 2 hours to Talladega by myself.  I arrived around 6:45 and got my packet then sat in the truck until the start.  We started the race on turn 4 on the track.  I was a little tired from yesterday's 8.5 miles.  I planned to start slow and see what I had at the end.  My first few miles were around 8:00 pace.  I was feeling good and my legs began to loosen up.  I picked it up a little for the next few miles.  I took a GU around 8.5 miles when I started to feel a little tired.  I was happy when we got back on the track knowing I had 1 lap till the finish.  Unfortunately it was a little over 2 miles.  I did some calculations in my head and realized I could have a sub 1:40 if I ran hard.  I pushed hard and finished in 1:39:13  I was happy with that considering my miles yesterday and the half marathon last weekend that left my calves tight for a few days.  It was a nice day for a run and a nice place to run.  I got to see alot of Talladega that I might never get to see again. 

I got up before work and planned on a easy 6 miles but my hips were bothering me.  I came home after 2 and stretched.  I ran/walked 3 miles with my wife after I got off work.  My hips felt a little bit better.

I got up around 5 this morning.  I had planned on 6 but was feeling good after the first 2 miles so I ended up doing 8 before work.  I was feeling good at work and decided to do 3 on the treadmill on my lunch break.

2.5 miles run/walk with my wife.

4 miles on the treadmill.

I got up around 6 and ran 12 miles then waited for my wife to wake up and we did 2.5 run/walk. I took a Hammer gel before I started and I felt really good the entire run.  This was only my third time trying hammer gels and so far I really like them.

4 easy miles on the treadmill on my lunch break.  Legs felt pretty good considering yesterdays 14.5 miles.

I only had time for 3 miles today because work has been so busy.  I tried to run them a little harder since I could only do 3.  Legs still feel pretty good.

4 miles on my lunch break

I got 4 miles in before work and another 4 on my lunch break.

I signed up for the full marathon in December but decided to only run the half  since I haven't been training too much.  My legs were a little tired going into this race but I thought I would be fine.  My garmin battery died so I ran without a watch.  I tried to take it a little easy at the start so I would have a little something at the end.  I don't think it worked out like I wanted as I had to slow down a lot towards the end.  I finished in 1:40:01.  I was happy with that I guess.  I would have liked to beat my time from last year but I just didn't have it.  

I got up this morning and ran around downtown Nashville.  My legs were a little tired but not to bad.  

4 miles on the treadmill.  Legs felt tired and my right hip hurt a little bit.

4 miles before work this morning.  Hip is still bothering me.