Running, running, running keep them doggies running!

Days 60 to 66: I took a bit of a hiatus from blogging about running because I didn't feel like I had anything new to say. The winter weather returned, making for some sloshy, cold runs. But Jacob went with me two days in a row and we did some good hill work outs, which was nice for variety. Then, my damn cold returned, making my energy level sink again, so I stuck pretty close to running 3.5 miles each day. Days 63 and 64 were particularly bad. I really wanted to fall over and fall asleep on the sidewalk. But, I have locked into the ability to run my 5k on autopilot. I think that is mostly a good thing. The sun came out yesterday and our little town warmed up. It was great! Today was a decent run. I did five miles, a little slower than I would've liked, but I did it. I am thrilled with running in shorts! Every end of winter/early spring I get so excited I preemptively start wearing too few clothes... and running is no exception. But it keeps me moving so I don't freeze. I'm hoping in the spring I can reinvigorate my longer runs. I have really fallen off with those as of late. But... at least I'm still running everyday! I think at the end of the first quarter I am going to treat myself to a 90 minute massage. Yep, that's my plan.

The Beard

Day 58 and 59: So... for those of you who don't know... there is this James Beard foundation... James Beard, a quintessential American chef, now deceased. His foundation awards top chef accolades to chefs and other F&B professionals... Anyhow, Jacob and Matt were nominated for a James Beard award in the Southeastern category. Professionally, this is the most awesome thing... hands down... ever. Well, aside from winning (which probably won't happen, this year anyway). The point: it gives credence to the hard work that we have been doing for five years. It is awesome, in the true sense of the word, and humbling. There are so many amazing chefs out there... and to be counted...it's... well, I'm at a loss for words. OK, so that aside... personally, being REALLY busy and feeling the pressure of trying to be on top of our game has made my little side project, of running everyday, harder to do. Even harder than when I was sick. I have to find little snippets of time to fit in running. I'm finally feeling well and like myself, but I cannot seem to carve out much more than 35 minutes to fit in a run. Day 58, I ran the 5K as fast as I could because it was the ONLY day I have to go to the grocery store, do laundry and clean my house... all while one child is still on quarantine with the pox. Ok, so that one down... and I SOOO need new running shoes. So, today day 59 (almost 60 days in!!!) I got running shoes, went to the chiropractor and went on a really nice five mile run with my friend Melissa. It was nice to squeeze that in. Snow is on the forecast for the next four days... which I am well over. But, if I can hang in there, eventually, I can get back on increasing my mileage, running without the Ninja Suit, and maybe even enjoy some sunshine.... Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.... It is only March 1.

Blogging is harder than running sometimes

Days 54, 55, 56 and 57: Yep, it's true. I can find time to get out on a run, but not always time to blog. And, as my last blog stated... I am bored of winter running. I am fortunately not sick anymore, THANK GOD! and now my energy level is starting to get back to normal. Just in time for some more unusually cold weather! The highlights of my running over the last four days.... Jacob went with me twice. It was nice to run with him. I had a bit of an easier time keeping up with him than I hand before running over 50 days consecutively. We ran about 4.5 miles together. I think we could have gone further if we weren't already pressed for time. So... the weekend should be decent. Hopefully Melissa and I can go out for a long run on Sunday... and then the days just move on. February is almost over... and spring is on it's way... eventually. Yep. Blogging is more difficult to do than running. Fancy that.

BORING!

Day 52 and 53: My energy level is still not back to normal. This head cold is taking it's time leaving my body. My lungs are also at limited capacity. So, I've stuck to 3.5 mile runs. Yesterday it took me 31 minutes, today it took me 29. The weather has been awesome. But I am not feeling awesome. My friend who has this same head cold has been suffering much more than I have; I don't know if that means the running is helping my immune system or if it is just different for me. I do feel like this is the longest I have had a cold hang around in my system. I'm going on eight days. Each day I feel a little bit better, but not yet 100%. Just like the spring is bound to arrive, my cold, too, will leave. But next time I travel in a car with someone who is sick and they say, "You're definitely gonna get sick traveling with sick people!" I think my response should be, "I certainly hope not!" Instead of, "Nope, I don't get sick!" Well, my pompous ass got sick and no one else in my family did. Gotta love instant Karma, or not. So, yep. This is boring because there is nothing new to report. Not even interesting sights or encounters while out on my runs. BORING.

Redundancy makes me feel redundant

Day 50: I cannot, CANNOT talk about another horrible run, while I was sick, blah, blah, blah, bleck! So, I'm not going to, suffice it to say, I ran, when I didn't want to... damn I'm over it.

Day 51: I'm feeling a little better today. The sun is shining!!!!! It is beautiful outside. I got up did some cleaning and then met a friend for a run. I'm not 100% yet, and hoping to be in a few days, so I didn't push it too hard. We kept a good pace and ran four miles, and then I just sat in the sun. I love it!!! So, maybe in a few days I can run further than four miles. Once I get over this crap in my head and chest, I want to work on increasing my pace and slowly increasing my daily mileage. I'm going to give myself ample time to get over this first. Perhaps in March.

If your feeling sick and tired of feeling sick and tired...

Day 48: I slept most of the day. I felt horrible, my head was so clogged and my nose red and sore from blowing. I really thought today would be the day that I wouldn't run. It made me cry. But then I took another nap, took some tylenol, suited up and went out. It was slow...and perhaps pathetic looking. I ran for 32 minutes exactly. Three miles. And I was soooo happy when it was over. Then I ate some food and went back to bed. I'm sort of surprised that I went. I could have taken the excuse of being sick, but it just seemed so lame, I haven't even made it 60 days yet. There are really a lot of days in the year. I can hope that these winter days are the hardest, but I am sure there will be other days coming up that will be equally, if not more, difficult. Today was an exceptionally difficult day to talk myself into going out. I certainly hope it doesn't lengthen the amount of time that I am sick, although how would I know the difference?

Day 49: I just want to stop being sick!!!! I woke up this morning, feeling alright. But as the day wore on, I got more and more exhausted. I came home from work and immediately got on my running gear. I knew if I sat down, I would not get back up. My joints were sore and achy. I felt like rubber. My head was pounding and I felt like crying, but at least the sun was shining. It was almost 38 degrees out. I ran 2.5 really slow miles and then stood in the sun for a few minutes. The sun on my skin was deeply satisfying. It reminded me how nice summer is, how wonderful it is to feel hot and bronze from the sun. I need Vitamin D... the natural way. Then I could kick this frickin cold. I walked the last 1/2 mile back to my house and even saw some crocuses just beginning to peak out of the ground. I know spring is coming... I just wish it would hurry... Every other day that I have run while being sick, I feel pretty decent directly after running and then start to fade as the evening wears on. Today, though, is the opposite. I felt pretty haggard after the run, but now, I'm feeling alright, tired, but alright...hope certainly does spring eternal

On the fence

Day 46: I'm sick. There is no getting around it. Not ridiculously sick, but a pretty serious head cold. I went out running anyway. It wasn't as bad as I would have thought. I did three slow miles for self preservation. I felt pretty good the first mile and a half and a little weird the last mile and a half. When I was finished, I felt pretty good. But it went down hill from there. I felt worse and worse as the evening wore on. This morning and today at work, I felt miserable.

Day 47: So, today... feeling awful. The windchill made it feel like 15 degrees, but at least the sun was out. I decided to try the 5k and see what happened. It was easier and faster than I expected. I didn't have to walk or shorten the run. My head didn't really feel connected to my feet, but other than that it was ok. I probably could've run further, but I felt like I should keep it at a minimum so I can get rid of this crap in my head. After I finished, I felt pretty good. But, it's been about two hours and now I'm feeling wiped out. So, I'm on the fence as to whether continuing to exercise will prolong this cold or shorten it. I guess I'll see how I feel tomorrow.