10 Mile Run? Done. And done.

Meg, Ellen and I completed the Soldier Field 10-mile run on Saturday! Ellen flew ahead and finished in about 1 hr and 20 minutes, while it took Meg and I about 1 hr 40 min. It felt so good to finish! The weather was perfect, and it was so fun to run through the tunnel onto the field!
I feel like I should be able to run the additional 3 miles for the 1/2 marathon in Duluth, which is only 19 days away.
Click on the link to Meg's blog to see pictures!
Happy Memorial Day!

Nine is a rhyme...

...and it goes something like this:

I went for a run
with my big sister Meg.
We ran for 9 miles,
despite a cramp in my leg.

The night was just lovely
with a warm gentle breeze,
and we thriced Lake Phalen
with relative ease.

I came home all sweaty,
logged into the 'net,
and registered for the Twin Cities Marathon because I'm insane and I can't believe that running 9 miles all of a sudden makes me think I'm ready to run an actual marathon, even though I do have 4 months to train and it is the purpose of this blog, and plus I had to register now because I didn't want to wait and then not be able to get in, but I'm still freakin' out!!!!

Ok, so nine is maybe more of a run-on sentence than a rhyme, but you get the gist.

I was running...

Yesterday was very hot and windy. It was 82 degrees when I ran at 9am. I went for an hour and 20 minutes. I cut a few corners in the beginning, and added on a little at the end, so I'm not sure how far I actually went. Meg dropped off her kids when I got back so she could run. The wind was really starting to pick up by that time, and she was blown all around West St. Paul. Poor thing. She was just miserable.
I ran 4 miles today. It was just as windy, but the temp was 58 degrees. I'm baffled at this weather. I can't figure it out.
Only 11 days until the Soldier Field 10-mile, and 32 days until the 1/2 marathon.

Excellian!!

Excellian is the name of the computer system our hospital is now using. We are finally through using paper and pens. Everything is now electronic, which is fabulous! We've been training for months, and went "live" May 1st. I put in a bunch of extra hours, so I took a few days off from running.
These past couple of weeks have been packed. Typically, I've been working from 7-3:30, driving right to coach a softball game or practice until about 6, then driving to play in my own softball or volleyball games, and getting home sometime after 9pm. I'm not complaining, though. I would much rather be super busy than have nothing to do.
I finally ran on Wednesday, just for a half an hour. Yesterday I ran/walked for an hour and a half. It's pouring rain at the moment, and the JV game I was going to coach has been cancelled. I'm supposed to play in 2 games tonight, and I'm hoping it's too wet to play. I am really looking forward to a weekend off!!

Night Run

I ran late tonight, after a disappointing loss to Tartan HS. The girls played really well, they just weren't able to make any solid contact with the ball.
It was a lovely evening, and towards the end of my run I stopped to watch a men's fastpitch softball game. My co-coach Jerry Ball was playing against the varsity coach's husband. If you ever want to see competitive fastpitch, watch these guys. They are unbelievable.
Is it really only Monday?

8 Mile

This is no longer an Eminem movie I never saw. It's now the longest distance I have run at one time! I did the same run as Monday, but I added on an extra 1/2 mile somewhere in the middle. My hips are a little sore this evening (which could possibly be attributed to me sitting at a computer all week), but other than that I feel pretty good.
My B-Squad team plays Mahtomedi today. I dropped off some twizzlers, sunflower seeds, and eye black for them. I'll be able to join them again Friday. It's been nice to have a week off from coaching, but I do miss it.

Stuff

I ran around Lake Harriet (3 miles) yesterday afternoon, and I have never seen so many people out walking around. I felt like I was in a parade. I think word got out that it was a beautiful day, and that there might not be another one. Ever.
Lake Harriet is in an upscale area of Minneapolis, and I felt a little sloppy in my mesh shorts and t-shirt. No kidding - people were walking in high heels, fancy tank tops, designer sunglasses, and denim mini-skirts.
I tacked on 2 more miles later that evening with Meg in her neighborhood. I was a little worried about her running since she passed out giving blood Saturday and bonked her head on the floor. She did great, though, and it was nice to be outside again.

Today I ran 7.5 miles. I didn't even mean to run that much, but I got into a groove and just kept going. It took 1 hour and 20 minutes, which I think is between 10 and 11-minute miles. This weather is perfect and I hope it stays for a while.

I work 3pm-11pm all this week, which is a bummer because I have to miss 3 softball games. Right now our B-Squad (sophomore) team has a 1 and 1 record.

On a side note, I did a load of laundry with what seemed like an entire box of Kleenex. I have been picking little bits of tissue out of my towels and sheets for the last hour. AARRRGH!