Being Good

In Denver on Tuesday I decided to make the effort/take advantage of the 1 hour time change to workout. Since I ran Monday I really only wanted to use the bike or elliptical machine and if time weights. Of course I stayed up way to late pretending to work Monday night and when 6:45 am rolled around I was too comfortable and exhausted to move. Finally, I pulled myself out of the bed shortly after 7 am and headed down for a short elliptical session. Of course no one was using the dreadmills, only the elliptical machines and stationary bike! So I hit up some hand weights in my very annoyed state. Luck would have it some guy decided to be kind and jump off the elliptical after his 25 minutes so I could use the machine. Must be because I'm so cute in the morning ;) Unfortunately the guy who gave me the machine wasn't the one with really horribly b.o that made me dry heave. Now I know it wasn't my cuteness that had him cutting his workout short!

As usual, I stayed at a not so classy Embassy Suites. Seriously, it has seen better days but it's so close to the site and I'm all for convenience/a short commute. After my 35 minute workout I headed to the free breakfast but was so not feeling the egg white omelet with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms - my go to Embassy Suite breakfast. So I hit up the oatmeal. I lifted the metal lid to set it against the back of the pot to dig in and wadyaknow it crashes to the ground! Bang! The whole breakfast area stopped and stared. And I? I just turned and waved! Of course I would be the awkward girl making things crash to the ground. The waitstaff was annoyed but at least nothing was broken. I ate my oats (with some delicious cherry preserves) and headed on my way.

Anyway, this morning I had 3 people comment about how good I was for waking up and getting a workout done. I found it humorous because here I was feeling bad I slept in and only did a 30 minute workout! Thank goodness for others to change my perspective. It may not have been much but it was more than nothing!

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Happy to report Monday I found time for another pre-flight run. It was another great day in Chicago (in the 60's)! I had plans to run 10 then left late due to work and bumped it down to 9. Well... then my sister called mid-run, I realized what time it really was and decided only 8 miles was doable. A nice 8 for a 9:43 average min/mile.

I don't know what it is about not being in "training mode" but I get stupid about running. I wear socks I normally wouldn't, I don't use body glide, I'm not as focused/religious about my pre-run rituals. It is good in a sense that I try new things I normally wouldn't and can find out what works. It's bad in other ways though. After my 8 miles then flight to Denver I was hurting! Lack of body glide on a warmish day, bad socks, poor cool down, no stretching, then a 3 hour flight = bad news! The good news I did hydrate as Denver makes me thirsty! I'm sure I'll repeat in a day or two :) It takes awhile for me to learn my lesson.

Pre-Flight Run

During marathon training I had no other choice but to fit mid-range runs in before flights. Eventually it became a weekly occurrence I looked forward to on the schedule. At times it was stressful trying to squeeze in the mileage with all I needed to do before leaving for the night or the week; mostly it became my "me time." A way to handle annoying delays and airports in general. I missed it my first week back to work post-marathon. Getting ready to leave for that first trip something felt 'off'. Luckily I made time for my pre-flight run this week. I didn't go as long as I did a month ago but those 5 miles made a difference and changed my outlook for the rest of the travel day. So marathon training may no longer be happening but I'm glad I found a piece to incorporate in my traveling weeks while I figure out 'what's next'.

Have any of you found a piece of your training, may it be marathon or 5K that you love to incorporate even when not training?

This week may have been all gloom and doom outside but I managed back to back running days; my first since marathon training! And I even woke early (!) for a quick and dirty elliptical session in the creepy-not-in-the-fun-Halloween-kind-of-way hotel. Now to keep it going through the weekend...

Speaking of the weekend - Happy Halloween weekend! May you have your fill of scary movies, mini chocolate goodies, and candy corn! Me? I've go a scary movie date and a bag of candy corn pumpkins sitting on the kitchen counter :)

And a big GOOD LUCK and kick some butt to all the runners this weekend! Those taking on NY, Mark in the Bass Pro, and everyone else I can't think of right now. I can't wait to read all your reports!