Random Thoughts About My Running

A new running store opened in my neighborhood, Suncoast Running, and they host two weekly runs: Tuesdays mornings at 6:00 a.m. and Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.  Tracey, the owner, and several of my other running friends like Jackie and Sarah, have been trying to get me to join them for weeks.  With an infant still waking up to feed in the middle of the night, it’s really difficult to get motivated to run at 6:00 a.m.

 

But when I heard they meet for drinks at the Beef O’Brady’s next door after their run, I found my motivation to join them last Thursday for their (what I am cleverly calling) Beer Thirty Running Club. Tracey, Michelle (a new running friend) and I ran 3 miles, but I decided to go a tenth of a mile more to learn what my 5K time is these days.

 

Thursday, Oct. 14

3.1 miles

Calories 299

Ave Pace 12:30

Max Pace 9:49

Time 38:43

 

How probable do you think it is to shave 5 minutes off my time by November 21?

 

My running partner, Tiffany, is so excited that I am out running again and we plan our Saturday runs with such zest even though my pace doesn’t reflect it.

 

Saturday, Oct. 16

4 miles

Calories 373

Ave Pace 14:00

Max Pace 9:28

Time 55:57

 

For the past week, my knees have been really bothering me which can mean a few things:  1) I need to stretch my calves more.  2) I need to do more strength training.   3) I need to replace my shoes.

 

I think the latter is the most likely reason.  I replaced my shoes a year ago.  With my pregnancy, I thought they didn’t get much mileage this past year, but I guess they did.  Between two half-marathons, a 5K, walking around Busch Gardens and weekly wogs until I was 7 months pregnant, the miles must have added up.

 

Despite old shoes and my knees still bothering me, I really wanted to try for three miles again this morning.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 19

3.1 miles

Calories 286

Ave Pace 13:26

Max Pace 9:40

Time 41:40

 

How probable do you think it is to shave 10 minutes off my time by November 21?

 

I won’t be running with a stroller at the Women’s 5K, so that may improve my finish time.  However, it was either Tracey and Michelle or the prospect of a drinking beer at Beef’s that helped improve my pace on Thursday evening.   Which made me wonder…Is there beer at the finish at the Women’s Half Marathon?

 

Since Running Betty lives in St. Pete, I think I’ll ask her to bring me a beer.  She can dangle it over the finish line with a fishing rod near the volunteers handing out the medals.

 

Tomorrow, I am not running except to the running store to buy some new shoes.  Hopefully, new shoes will motivate me to move a bit quicker.

 

***Proudly submitted at The Un Mom’s Random Thoughts Tuesday, because when I blog about my runs, it’s usually pretty random.***

 

randomtuesday

5 comments

  1. Stacy Uncorked says:

    Just as I was thinking you should have someone at the finish line coaxing you with a beer, you have that one figured out! LOL!!

    I’m betting the new shoes will definitely help with the knees – you have covered a lot of miles in your soon-to-be ‘former’ shoes. 😉

  2. Rachel M says:

    Welcome to RTT! I love your random running post, beer for motivation – hysterical! How old is your infant? Mine is almost 12 weeks old, still trying to find the time to work out!

    I’ve never heard of land-o-lakes, fl, looks like you are on the west side.

  3. kimert says:

    Great runs!!! You can totally improve the time by November!
    Send some of that mojo my way….I have a race in less than 2 wks. that I seriously hope to PR! I’d settle for anything under 33 mins.

  4. Lindsay says:

    Why hello stranger! 😉 glad to see a running post again. Although, the kids are precious! LOL about getting R to dangle beers in front of you.

    Treat yourself to some new kicks!

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