Shaking out the cobwebs before the big day

October 18  Plan:  3k LSD  Actual:  3k LSD

I hadn't run since Tuesday so was both looking forward to and dreading this short run.  Wasn't sure how my knees were going to feel and the mindfu(k that is tapering was wreaking havoc with my psyche.  But since it was only 3k I decided to take the dog with me 'cause that's about as much as he can take before he just can't do anymore.

Turned out to not be the best idea after all.

You know how everyone says nothing different on or just before race day? No new foods or clothing or anything like that, because you never know how it might impact you?

Well, I should have thought about that before I took my dog out with me when I, well, never do that.  Ever.  Because I can always outrun him in distance.

But hey, it was only 3k, you say, how bad could it be?

Let me tell you. 

Finn pulls for the first k, runs with me for the second, then needs a bit of coaxing for the third.  Which is why I never take him with me if I'm going any further than that.  The problem came with the first k, the pulling part.  A few hours after my run I noticed that my left hip and right shoulder were super sore.  So strange!  WTF?!   And then it hit me...it was because he was pulling me, and I was completely out of alignment during that time.  Left hip back taking the brunt of my stride, right shoulder forward, being pulled because his leash was in my right hand.

D'oh! 

Thank goodness he's cute

A few minutes with the Magic Bag of heat on my hip as well as a Voltaren dip seemed to help and thankfully I was feeling a bit better by bed time.  Fingers crossed it's all good for race day!

Dog days of summer

June 29 Plan: 3k steady  Actual:  3.01 steady

Lesson learned from yesterday, I got up much earlier and made it outside by 7:20ish.  I'll go earlier on days that I have long runs and therefore have to be outside for longer, but since I knew it was only 3k I figured it was a good compromise.  

Decided to take my almost three year old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier named Finn with me for the run.  He's an active guy but isn't a huge fan of the longer runs - 3k is pretty much his max.  True to form, for the first k he happily ran out in front, pulling me along behind him.  I had to try to slow him down a bit as he was going faster than I wanted to but he came around quickly.

The second k he ended up running pretty much beside me, still excited to be out but much more into my groove.  And, as always, for the third k he was a few steps behind but kept pace enough that I didn't need to slow down.

As with Thursday's run, the schedule called for steady so I ran the whole thing without walk breaks.  I did, however, stop briefly once to give Finn some water as it was pretty hot, even at 7am, and then again quickly to snap this cute pic of him and our shadows as we passed in front of the park behind our house.   He wasn't too excited to stop - started to whine in a 'let's get this show on the road so I can get home' kinda way.  So off we went, rounded a few more corners, and home it was.

Even though it was only 3k and only 7am it was stinkin hot and I was one sweaty Betty when it was all said and done.  Had a quick shower then hopped back into bed with hubby to at least pretend I had a chance to sleep in.

Tomorrow is a rest day as per the schedule so I'll enjoy not having to get up super early.  I've got the day off but Micheal doesn't so will likely be up around 7 anyway.   Now to enjoy the rest of this beautiful, hot day!