Feb 28 "Theres No Place Like Home" ----- Boston 2012

"Theres No Place Like Home"

“Close you eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, there's no place like home.”

Thats exactly how I felt when I took off for my morning run down my old familiar street.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed being out of town and I had a great time, I just missed my regular running route, familiar surroundings and friends.  There was a chill in the air when I walked out the door at 5:15 a.m..  It was a crisp 27 degrees and there was a slight wind blowing out of the north.  My legs were still wound up from the weekend, tired, but not sore.  I was itching to get out and run, even if the workout called for an EZ pace.  Half mile into my run I glanced at my watch and read an 8:44.  Too fast, but comfortable.  It was going to take a lot of concentration to slow down.  I decided not to fight it and cruised to the mile marker where I was going to meet Susan.  She runs a little bit slower than me so I was running with her to help her with her pace and work on some speed.  We were shooting to run 9:00 min miles.  That was the pace I was supposed to be focused on today so I though it would be a good fit.  Saw Kristy and Amy already on their way back as we were just getting started.  They are always out so early, its crazy!  I'm not sure what time they actually start their runs, but man it has got to be early.  Amazing!

The path had some scattered patches of frozen ice and divots from heavy footprints digging into the loose gravel.  I ran part of the route on the grass and successfully dodged some low tree branches as we made our way to the bridge.   Pace was going great.  A little bit faster than expected but Susan was doing awesome and holding her own.  A good sign.   Just before the 2nd mile marker I gave Susan the good news.  We were not going to take a break at the halfway point.  It was going to be a quick turn around and head back.  I knew that she could do it, she just needed to have some confidence and she would be fine. Before you knew it, we were back at the gazebo and done with our run.  We averaged an 8:51 pace.  Great time for her.  She did awesome.  Faster than she thought she was going to go and she was still standing.  I am really proud of her for sticking with it and giving it her all.  It is the same thing that I have been working on for the last few months, learning that your body CAN even when your mind says it can't.  I'm looking forward to doing some more runs with her soon.  

I had one more mile to run and I was home.  Ahhh, a nice easy jog and there I was, back standing in front of my brick Georgian.  Home Sweet Home.  

Workout number 1 was in the books. 

 Planned:  Run.

Completed:  6 mile run - 

Came home and woke up Ian for school.  Got him breakfast and we headed out the door.  Back to the house, sat down at the computer and started working til it was time to get ready for my second workout of the day, swimming.  Headed to the Courts and was looking forward to catching up and swimming with my good friend Mary Ann.  Water was warm and managed to get a lane. Yippee.  I was so happy to be back in the pool.  It has been a while since I swam and I was curious to see how my stroke was going to fare. I found out shortly that I could benefit from some additional swimming workouts.  Wow.  I was really stinking up the pool.  My stroke needs a lot of work.  I felt like I took 10 steps backwards.  I was going to have to really pick it up if I was going to feel good about this workout.  From this point on, all signs point to Boston and I needed to get myself in gear.  I really wanted to push and work hard.

Second Workout

Planned Workout:  Swim

Completed:  Swim

Legs were tired but really pushed myself at the end.  

Third Workout:  Core

I requested a core workout from my coach.   I felt like I needed some more work in that area.  I came upstairs after my swim and did my core routine.  All workouts for today are done.

Now, I was officially exhausted.  Came home and napped for 2 hours.  Needed some sleep to get through the rest of the day.  

I am so glad to be back home and in my routine.  I am hoping the rain holds off in the morning so I can run outside.  But really, after running through snow and bone chilling winds, would a little rain really be that bad?  

Nike Challenge   moved up to 2594th place.   Up 14 Spots.

Tin W