#CountdownToVegas Week 8: What a Difference 30 Degrees Makes

This week I finally started feeling better.  I miss Kevin all the time, but sometimes the pain is sharper than others, and all I can do is just go with it. I started out the week still feeling down, but I kept getting up and working and training every day, and finally by Thursday I was feeling more like myself. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me recently. Your love and support is beyond priceless.

This morning in Sunday School we were discussing where we see evidence of God's care and concern.  Really for me it's every single day since Kevin died, God has given me something to get out of bed for, something to do, something to work on, some reason to keep moving.  And moments of joy and peace every day as well.  It's pretty amazing as I look back on it.

And so I keep moving every day, whether I feel like it or not.  Not in a "fake it till you make it" way, but rather moving in faith that God has something for me to do.  And always I feel Him with me.  So here's how this week's training went:

Trail Therapy

Monday - Missed Hills

Runner girl fail.  After work I went to change for hill training and discovered I'd forgotten shorts.  So I went home and waited around for the temps to cool off just a bit, then headed out for a short sunset trail run.  Being in the woods is always good for my soul.

Total miles: 3.5

Tuesday - Cross Training

My usual 5K Canal run with BSRC, followed by LFBootcamp.  I made this week's workout with some punching moves; possibly working out some aggression.  It felt a little awkward at first, but I enjoyed it and I think the others did too.

Total miles: 4

Wednesday - Yoga

Boat Pose

Last week for Sunrise Yoga on the Canal.  I've really enjoyed these sessions all summer.  Yoga outside just gives me something extra that yoga in a studio doesn't have.  Even in the middle of the city with traffic noises, there's something about being outside that's more meaningful.  This week we did a lot of balance and core work.  Some of the poses are still really challenging for me, and I didn't even attempt any handstands.

Total miles: 2.2

Thursday - Run(317)

Finally the heat wave finally broke.  Thursday's Run(317) Carmel was so nice - the run felt effortless after struggling with the heat the past few weeks.  I didn't PR, but pretty close at 35:23..  And as always, the after-party was a blast.  Only one more left this year: Fountain Square on 10/20.  It's bound to sell out like the others have, so sign up now.  This is the original and it's still the favorite of a lot of people.

Total miles: 7.4 (because I parked so far away from the race I walked more than I ran)

TGIF

I didn't work out on Friday.  But I did buy some new running shoes! All the local running stores are having sales for Labor Day weekend.  When I was out picking up our packets for Saturday's race, I browsed the shoes on sale, and was thrilled to spot one pair of the exact shoe I needed in my size.

Total miles: 0.7

Saturday - Long Run + TheGloRun

Saturday morning I went to Broad Ripple for my long run.  I did part of it on the Monon Trail, and part on the Canal Towpath.  With temps in the mid 60s and low humidity, I felt like I could run all day.  It was so nice to feel that way again.  I had to stop, just because Sampson had a vet appointment, otherwise who knows how far I would've run.

I was still dealing with dizziness, though, so it isn't just the heat causing that.  It didn't stop me or slow me down, but it's kind of a scary feeling.  I am really congested with fall allergies, so maybe that is what's causing it?  If it doesn't go away when my allergies clear up (typically mid-September), I will go see my doctor.

Saturday night I had the opportunity to do TheGloRun, and Josh ran it with me.  I got two free entries in exchange for blogging about it, so I'm going to do a full write-up tomorrow.  Spoiler: we had a great time.  This was a really fun run, and even after my morning long run I had no soreness (and no dizziness), and finished 5th in my age group with 34:55.

Best of all though was spending the evening with Josh.  I'm pretty lucky he's not embarrassed to hang out with his goofy mom all dressed up in an 80s costume.  I'm going to miss him when he moves to Colorado.  I'm already making plans to run Rock 'N Roll Denver next year.

Total miles: 18.2

Total miles for the week: 36.1

Total training miles to date:  197.65

Up Next

Sept. 10:  I really want to run the Hendricks County Half Marathon this coming Saturday.  I'm not signed up, though, and I'm not sure if I can/want to spend the money.  It was my very first half back in 2013, so it's kind of special to me, and I want to run it again.  Stay tuned to see what I decide.

Sept. 17:  I'm the 3-Hour Pacer for the Indy Women's Half Marathon.  I'm starting to get nervous about it.  I've never paced a race before.  I don't want to let anyone down.  

Sept. 25:  AUSA Indy Ten Miler: I found out about this race last year too late to actually run it, so as soon as registration opened for this year I signed up.