My final weeknight run

October 14  Plan 10k race pace  Actual:  7k glacial pace

They say that a bad dress rehearsal means a great opening night.  If that's the case, I should have no problems whatsoever on the big day. 
'Cause let's face it, this run was crap.  Crap, crap, crap.

It had been a busy week at work, lots going on, weather wasn't cooperating, blah blah blah.  I knew I couldn't do 10k - I just couldn't - so 7 was about all I could muster. 

I didn't even plan a good route!  Normally I've got my distance well planned out in advance so I am clear on where I'm going and what it'll take to get there. And no further.  Ha.  Sad but true.  But not tonight.  Tonight I just went out and ran and said I'd figure it out as I go.  Hence the crazy, loopy map. 

As you can see from the temp the weather was kind of warm which was nice but it was crazy windy.  And starting to get dark, but thankfully I had my knuckle lights and they served me well once again. 

As I closed in on 7k I decided enough was enough and just headed for home.   The whole tapering thing has been playing massive games with my psyche and I was pretty much ready to throw in the proverbial towel by this point.  I was getting sick of running the same streets, same routes, all the time.  I was really looking forward to all of this just being done.

Ended up walking at lot as is evidenced by my pace.  If I have to go this slowly overall on race day I'll never make my 3 hour goal.  Fingers crossed this really was the bad dress rehearsal before the big opening night and everything comes together much more smoothly than this run did.

Hard to believe this is my final weeknight run for what will likely be a good, long while.  Wednesday following my half Micheal and I are returning to our strict eating program to help take off this extra weight which means no running for me, sadly.  Might throw in a short distance here and there but still - nothing at all like what I've been doing these past 18 weeks. 

Oh foul bowel, why dost thou betray me?

July 3  Plan: 3k steady (but I was going to swap out tempo today)  Actual: 3k.  Just 3k.  Done.

What a day.  Lots going on, busy day at work, lots of walking during the day so my legs were a bit sore, especially since this is now running three days in a row - and I had to wear dress shoes for my walks.  Ouch!

Annnnyway, at least the humidity broke and it was a lovely evening for a run.  Once I finally got out there.  I got a new phone today and had to back it up with all the new stuff before I could hit the road - how else would I be able to track these very important three k?  Ha.  Ugh.

The transfer took way longer than I'd expected so it was late by the time I finally got out. Not too late, like 7:15, but still way later than I'd hoped. 

The skies were somewhat overcast which was a nice change and the breeze, well, it was just delicious. 

The first half of the first k was reasonably good.  I felt a bit more tired than normal but chalked that up to the later run and the busy day.

And then, then it happened.

That all too familiar stirring deep within.  The one that says - oh crap. 

Literally.

I ran past a Menchie's and thought hey, there's a great place to stop.  And stop I did, bumping into my sister and her family while there.  Made my way to the facilities and alas...the signals I'd received earlier were only early warnings and I left without completing my mission.  Bugger.   I never like to look a gift toilet in the mouth and knew I wouldn't have other opportunities along the way. 

Got back on to my route and tried to pick up the pace.  Went reasonably well for the rest of the route but then stirrings once again returned and this time there was no mistaking their intentions.  Time she was a tickin.

Decided to forgo the last loop near the house and ran straight there.  At the 2.89 k mark of my run.  Yeah, couldn't even get that last .11 in!  Ugh.

Made it in time thankfully then went back outside to finish.  Ran up my street maybe 10 houses then back again and I was done.  Finally done. 

Rest day tomorrow and I'll really enjoy it, I must say.  Am considering going for a massage for my legs as they're a bit twitchy which is strange considering that even though I've run three days in a row I've done less kms than I would normally do in one of my long runs.  Alas. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!  Will do my best to post on Saturday after my long run but hubby and I will be heading to the USA to do some shopping this weekend - but only after that run!