Two pups and a class

Thursday was spent playing with Buttercup, Paddy Wag, and the neighbor's puppy.  

I don't know her name, I just call her "Puppy."  

Buttercup, being the older lady she is, stayed under the car port after a mere few minutes with the pups.

 Boy am I glad that Paddy Wag didn't try to mouth Puppy's head this time. 

She is actually playing nicely. 

Love how Paddy runs to me when I call her.
And look at Puppy trying to be like the big dog! 

*****

I also went to a total body workout class at the Y in the evening. 

I usually steer away from classes because I don't know anyone and I really don't like confined places. 

However, the instructor is actually Ms. T - a sweet girl I run with sometimes. 

And I promised her that I would attend.

She promised that her classes are easy on the knees and there'll be no steps.
I dislike steps workouts. 

I'm glad I went. 

I'm going to go at least once next week! 

Maybe that will help with my flexibility and core strength.  

Hey! Galloway!

I ran the 5K like I said I would yesterday.  It wasn't my best run. 

Pre-run snack: Banana with some peanut butter. 

I tried out the Galloway run/walk thing.

Running and not getting injured?
Yeah. Sign me up! 

I started with 2 minute : 2 minute  run-to-walk ratio.

Then, I cut it short to 1:1. 

With the 1:1, I was able to clock in at a better pace. 

About 2 miles in, my knee felt a little funny, so I eased up and slowed down.

By the time I was through contemplating if I should call it a day, I was already at 2.6 miles. 

So I thought, why not round it up?

Don't judge. 

You do that too! Right? 

Then, I hit the magic 3-mile mark and while on the walk portion, I said to myself, why not do 5K? 

And so I did.

After the run, I hit the machines and did some leg curls, leg extensions and all the jazz 

to strengthen my quads, hammies, ankles. 

Gonna go have a quick egg sandwich now.
Starving!

Weekend Eight

In A Nutshell.   I completed eight miles this morning - the farthest I have ever ran. And I feel good! I decided not to take Buttercup because we haven't got that leash issue settled and I don't know if she will be able to take it.  I had to drive myself halfway down the driveway and parked my car there to pretend that I am going elsewhere but run.

Gear. Or the lack thereof. I just had my Garmin on and the pass to the local YMCA. I thought I would swing by there midway and get a sip of water at the water fountain or use the restroom.

Fun Sights.  I tried a somewhat different route today and ran down the square. It was quite different and I had to work around some vehicles. Thank goodness I went early enough so there weren't much traffic. It was quite a good little run down around there - no gravel, no potholes, just nicely paved sidewalk. I ran past Molly's Diner and I am sure they were serving up some yummilicious breakfast! I didn't stop for anything. Bummer!  I also saw a dead raccoon on the side of the road. See what happens when you don't wear reflective while running up and down the road?

Waterbreak.  I ran to Keith's office, said "Hi" to him and gave him a kiss.  He tried out a sales pitch on me and I got some water and used the restroom. And I said, "I gotto run!"

Random Thoughts. Maybe I will need to take a cold shower later? Does a cold shower works like an ice bath? (What I did? A hot steamy shower with blasts of cold spurts on my legs. That's all I can take.) 


By The Numbers:  The goal today was to finish the 8 miles without walking and to do so within 1 hour 45 minutes.  Slow and easy is fine. I just want to enjoy the run, enjoy my thoughts, and enjoy this pretty day. 

mile 1 = 12:22/mile
mile 2 = 12:24
mile 3 = 12:11
mile 4 = 11:43
mile 5 = 12:03
mile 6 = 12:12
mile 7 = 12:24
mile 8 = 12:22
So, there you go, 8 miles in 1 hour 37 minutes.

I Need To.  Be serious about cross-training and doing things to strengthen that knees up.

Looking Forward.  I am looking forward to the 10 miles next weekend and the Shamrock 5K race. And my new handheld water bottle. And some GU gels I ordered online. And a new short sleeve running t-shirt.