On the Road Again

Yesterday I did my first long run in a long time.  8 miles.  8 long arduous miles.  Started off feeling strong with a good pace but I think mile 6 was my first walk break.  About 3-4 walk breaks total.  BUT, I finished.  With the walk breaks the time ended up being about 9 minute miles, making me think that initial pace was OK.  Bad news: definitely lost steam.  Good news: no joint pain.

That is until today.  Muscle soreness, stiff back. Slight pain during movement in my right hip. Not fun. I'm trying to decide between stretches, pain killers or a combination of the two.  Hoping it is muscle pain and not anything with the back or joints, but time will tell.  Need to do 10 or 12 next week and keep pushing it if I'm going to make the 26.2.  The heat is the biggest enemy and yesterday it was not a problem.  I'm glad I went yesterday and not today because it is ridiculously hot and humid.

To prep for next week I think I'll need some gels, and next week I take water with me.

For the week, I need to press and get a few early morning runs in.  There's officers meeting at 0530 on base, but I'm not sure I can get up at 0500 just yet.  I guess we'll see on Tuesday.

Also: I'm trying to figure out the mystery of my fluctuating weight.  ON Thursday, I weighed 150.  Immediately after the run, I weighed 140.  Before bed last night, 145.  How does one fluctuate 10 pounds in 24-48 hours?

Just missed one day.

Yesterday could not get up.  Charlie woke up at 4am and then Eileen could not get to sleep again thinking about our.... wait for it... Wills.  Yes, last will and testament.  I've lost sleep over things I find silly.  Work, whether I packed everything for a trip.  But we made a change to our wills since we had Charlie and basically that decision, thoroughly discussed, was what was keeping her up.  Maybe it's a good reason but hey- IT'S GETTING IN THE WAY OF MY RUNNING!  And obviously, running is to keep me a live to not need a will until I have grandchildren.

ANYWHO.... Today.  I felt better than the other day.  Texas is still hot but I didn't feel too dehydrated.  I did however seem to get attacked by flies or mosquitoes or something.  I was swatting them away for about 1/4-1/2 a mile.  I hope this was an aberration.  

In any case, this week wasn't a total comeback, but also not a total failure.  I am thinking I will run my ten miler on my own this weekend.  Or maybe not.  I should probably try to get with Corpus Christi Road Runners.  After I get past 14 miles I need to work speed workouts in too because I am VERY slow right now.  I may take pooch for a quick 1.5-2 miler tomorrow.  Except- OH yeah! Some dude was running with a PACK of dogs.  Like 5 friggin labs or hunting dogs.  Seriously?  This is why you need to run with a handgun in Texas.  To shoot crazy people and their packs of dogs.

The runner returns.... slowly.

So it has been about 3 weeks since the last entry, and the last run.  This morning was PAINFUL.  Not literally.  I mean a little stiffness/ soreness. But I dragged ass out of bed, sweat like a pig, and it felt like I was sweating out Crisco.  Need to get back on the bal and focus on daily hydration and ACTUALLY running!
This would not be the first time that I have fallen off the wagon or lost a marathon fee.  However, I feel like at my age I'm at a turning point where I have to get into an active habit now, or I'll end up like the lard-asses I see around Corpus Christi.  More importantly, that my health will be affected and I'll miss out on something with my son.
In any case, let's hope I'm back tomorrow and I can get a few runs in while we're in NY next week.