3 a.m. August 25-- Must run early tom.

Sunsets off Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks. I can't wait to do the Grand Island Trail race again next year. But, here's my dilemma . . . I ran this evening for the first time in nearly two weeks, and I could barely do three miles. I stopped for water and a stretch after only one mile and then stopped at least two other times to walk because my breathing got so labored. Not too hot today, esp for August, just 73 degrees; even my favorite 80's music didn't inspire me--not even "Gloria" or "Radar Love".
When I ran the Grand Island trail race, just before the start, my I-Pod, my take my mind off the pain and imagine I'm speeding in a car I-Pod died-- just wouldn't turn on even though I had charged it the night before as I sleeplessly paced in my race clothes. Brief panic gave way to the realization that I had completed a few short races without a working (charged) I-Pod by talking w/ other runners at my pace. This trail race, though, I sang my I-Pod playlist in my head. I had heard it so often during my training runs that I surprised myself and silently recited entire songs--from Sisters of Mercy "Empire Down" to "Radio playing my favorite song . . ." It was an amazing, beautiful 10K. I ran it just a month ago after a few weeks off w/ a sprained ankle (I fell in a 3 foot deep construction hole on the 4th of July). I taped up my ankle, took vitamin IB, and didn't feel any pain nor get eaten by any bears. Mark brought my bathing suit across to the island so we could swim after the race. Jumping in Lake Superior after a humid 10K was amazing--much more fun than an ice bath.

Okay--so back to why this blog. Well, my motivation really waned these past few weeks and I loved my run today. Even as bad as it was with my stopping and planning to go 5 miles and only going 3, it felt good to be back. I decided that if I blogged my first running journal, I could give myself some extrinsic motivation when the intrinsic (or music) failed to motivate.

I plan to run tomorrow early a.m. (6) to see if even cooler temps help me have a better run and I can get that 5 miler in. Of course, it's now 2 a.m. and I'm still up watching stupid re-runs. This not sleeping at night is messing w/ my running too. I think I will just kick myself out of bed to get on some normal sleeping schedule so I can get back to my a.m. run. By August, I have gone from my usual teacher sleep schedule of up by 8 on a Saturday to up all night reading, watching tv, making jewelry, surfing the Internet, etc,. etc., and then getting up the next day after the post office has closed. NO MORE!! I need to get my run back! I will be in a relay marathon in Detroit in October and a full marathon in January. If I'm still huffing and puffing after only 3 miles next month I'll be in serious, serious trouble.

Okay, so now I have told my computer and maybe someone reading this three months from now, that I plan to get up early tomorrow and run 5 miles. Maybe I'll go back to Stoney and try to get the memory of TNT coach Ken's cow bell ringing in my head!