…with great news! The stars aligned. The weather was perfect. And I ran….I ran so far away…Flock of Seagulls, anyone? Anyone? Maybe I do still have a shot on Don’t Forget the Lyrics!
I digress. I’m just in a really good mood because I ran! The last two days were rest days because my foot hurt. Hal said I should run 12 miles today. I said I should run 10. My friend was running 10 and I made plans to join her. I had no low expectations. I wore my favorite compression sleeves and supportive pair of Brooks.
I had no pain when I woke up. That was a good sign! I met Lolly at the gym. I warned her that I might not make it. I had my cell phone. I planned to call for help if I needed it.
I didn’t need help. I enjoyed 10 miles on a cool, crisp fall morning.
Total Distance: 10 miles
- Mile 1 – 9:32/mi
- Mile 2 – 9:18/mi
- Mile 3 – 9:21/mi
- Mile 4 – 9:25/mi
- Mile 5 – 8:53/mi
- Mile 6 – 9:21/mi
- Mile 7 – 9:03/mi
- Mile 8 – 9:02/mi
- Mile 9 – 9:31/mi
- Mile 10 – 9:20/mi
Total Distance: 1:32:50
Average Pace: 9:17/mi
I breathed a huge sigh of relief at the end of the run. After my freak out last night, a strong run made me see this race as a real possibility. I’m having a difficult time grasping the whole taper concept, but runs like this keep me energized.
Post-run, I was fairly aggressive with the stretch/roll/ice routine. Preventative measures! I have a few other taper tips up my sleeve, too. I want to keep the body feeling good:
- Wear supportive shoes. – Goodbye, flip flops! Hello, Danskos!
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
- Keep runs short and sweet. When in doubt, refer to the elliptical!
- Harass the heck out of my friends and family. – You know who you are. I owe you!
- Eat clean and nutrient-rich foods.
On that note, let’s refuel!
How autumnal! A bowl of pumpkin oats, eaten among the falling leaves. I made sure to cover all the nutritional bases with this recovery meal:
- 1/3 c. oats
- 1/3 c. organic skim milk
- 1/3 c. water
- 1/4 c. egg whites
- 1/4 c. canned pumpkin
- 1/2 T. chia seeds
- cinnamon
- Toppings: Barney Butter and cranberries
I’m ready to put my feet up and relax the day away. Maybe I overreacted…and gave you all a little taste of my craziness. Regardless, I sincerely appreciate the positive vibes that were sent to my aching foot. The power of positive thinking worked its magic. Thank you!
