Week -16, Day 2

Schedule for Tuesday, Week -16 = 3 miles.
When I woke this morning at 5:45 to a horribly dense fog, a voice in my head said, Really? In this? Especially after going to bed at 12:30, I didn't think it would happen. But I dragged myself out of bed (once again, as the pup and hubby lay sleeping) and snacked on a banana and glass of chocolate soy milk while I planned out a 3-mile route on Google Earth. (Yet another reason why I'm toying with the idea of getting an iPhone - RunKeeper! How I'd love to be able to keep track of my mileage and such without all of the guesswork!) 3 miles turned out to be pretty much my usual route, with an extra side street thrown in to extend the block on the way home. Perfect.

Actual for Monday, Week -16 = 3.2 miles in 30:57, plus 1 hour of mountain biking.
The run went well, although slow. At least I'm still under 10 min/mile (just barely). I felt good. A little twinge in the left knee and right shin, but nothing that required stopping or even further stretching to continue. It went away quickly. Not long after leaving my house, I realized that the "fog" was actually fog + rain. A light drizzle. It was actually kind of refreshing. I'll admit; despite my slow speed, I felt kind of like a bad-ass runner, out at 6 AM in the fog and drizzle. Lame, lame, lame, but whatever keeps me motivated, I guess. I'm determined to remain committed to my training! I would've been dead on 3 miles if not for taking a wrong turn and taking a longer loop for the extended block, but just as well. I felt good afterwards and even had time for a brief stretch before work.
After work, my husband and I took advantage of the elusive thing known as the sun and saddled up Callie for a ride at Callahan State Park. I love mountain biking there, and it was the perfect combination of mud and dry spots. Mountain biking is always more fun with at least a few muddy spots! Going with a dog brings mountain biking to a whole new level of fun; I can't get enough of it, and we've been going at least once a week. I figure at the very least it's good for cross-training (as long as I don't get hurt) - already I noticed that I was able to make it up 2 hills that I wasn't able to finish 2 weeks ago with panting myself into oblivion. Anything that will help improve my cardio capacity is great.

Coming up next = 4 miles total (with a 2-mile tempo run).
This will be my first real tempo run. I'm interested to see how I'll do with it so early in the morning. But I think if I force myself to go slow enough during the first mile, I should be able to pick up the pace well for the middle 2 miles. I'm going to aim for 9 min on those, but we'll see. I have the total route planned out; now I just need to mark off where those middle 2 miles fall.

For your perusal, a piece about my upcoming marathon!
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/6/12438.shtml?act=AFC-SocialMedia&Property=CoolRunning&Sport=Running&PageType=Content_Articles&Emp=SA&PostType=Micro_blogging&Site=Crtwitter&Dy=6_30_09&Note=BayStateCT