Running in the Rockies

I wonder if 10 miles will ever feel like something other than torture.  ; )  I have to think that it would since, a year ago, I asked the same thing about running ONE mile.  haha.  How perspectives change.  

Although it was still long, it was  much better than my first attempt at 10 miles a few weeks ago.  And I was all by myself today, rather than running with a partner; so I feel especially good about keeping focused.  Until the last 2 miles, all my splits were sub 11:00.  I stretched out for quite a while when I got home, but my hips are still a little sore.  I think I need to see the chiropractor again - my back and pelvis have been really bugging me.  Maybe I'll even splurge and get a massage as part of my pre-half preparation.  Sounds good to me!!!  ; )

I tried something interesting today - Chi Running!  I finally watched the DVD my brother, Heber, lent me (he sent it last year - how embarrassing it's taken me this long!!) and decided to try it out.  I had almost no energy this morning.  We stayed up too late, it was a bad mother morning, and I was feeling lousy.  But I went anyway.  It was such an interesting experience!!  I actually got tired of the constant leaning forward feeling, but it's very true that it's easier on the legs.  My obliques were actually a little tired toward the end, though, from having to pull in my abs while leaning forward.  I went much faster than usual (because it was hard not to), so I ended up walking about 5 times and yet my average pace was still as good or better than usual.  Very interesting.  Also, I felt so much more invigorated after my run.  I don't think I've felt that way in a long time; so either it was the Chi running technique or the shorter distance.  I'll have to try it more to see if it's the key to my new running.  ; )

I actually meant to go 6 miles today, but at 4.75 I felt a pain all of a sudden in my left knee and left hip; so I figured I would cut it short.  I still don't know what happened.  I probably could've run through it, but I'm a week and a half away from my 1/2 and getting nervous -- plus I was just passing the shortcut to my house.  And ... well, I'm a wimp.  (hee,hee)

I tried Chi running today, but my form wasn't as good today.  It's hard to maintain on hills, more specifically the downhill portion.  I might have to watch the video a few more times to keep it fresh in my mind too.

On the treadmill tonight.  Wow, I forgot how hard it is mentally to watch the miles slowly tick by and how drippy sweaty I get on the treadmill.  Whoosh.  The treadmill really is easy on the joints, though.  I stayed at 10:30 pace for the first 3.5 miles then bumped it up to 9:30 for a mile.  Ya know, I think I have some kind of mental block about running faster or longer.  Even though my breathing wasn't crazy doing the faster pace, something in my head kept trying to tell me to slow down or even stop.  I've got an internal wimp that I'm not sure how to kick!  Any great ideas??