Monday, August 16, 2010

Monday Mash Up

I really hate to do this to all of you, but hell it's my blog, but today is the day I'm putting in my notice and I'm a bundle of nerves.  I don't think I've ever been this nervous when giving notice, then again I've never worked in such an environment before.  I've gone over every possibility of my boss' reaction with my hubbs and family and it really just comes down to what I want and need and I can't let him affect me.  I'm moving on to bigger and better things and I need to channel that when I head into his office this afternoon.  I've decided that I'm not going to tell him that I'm going out on my own, just that I'm ready for change right now and I will eventually figure it out.  Which is really not a lie - I'm ready for change and I know the opportunities will present themselves when I'm ready.

So, enough with the stressful post!  On to the weekend round up!  Friday when I left work I really, really, really needed a run.  I was already anticipating what today would look like and I had a really stressful day of actual work.  When I got home the temps were actually decent enough so I set out with no particular goal in mind.  8 miles later and I felt like a new person.  I was able to sweat out a lot of anxiety and clear my head.  Man, how does the rest of the world operate without running therapy?
8 miles 1:05:42 - 8:13/mi pace - After my warm up mile I put my head down and did some mile repeats all coming in around the 7:45/mi pace.  My legs were turning over surprisingly well considering I had just done a long run the day before and I was exhausted.  Amazing what stress can do for your running!!

Saturday, after cleaning house, I headed out a little too late (again).  It was almost 11:00 by the time I got out there and it was warm.  Actually, it could have been a lot worse.  We have had the coolest summer on record in decades here in the Bay Area.  I don't think the temp ever really got above 82 all weekend - such a nice change from what the spring had originally brought.  I wanted to do 10 and packed up a small handheld with Nuun.  By mile 7 or so I was out of water and so thirsty!  I resorted to stopping at some one's front yard and using their hose to fill my water bottle and cool me down!  I'm sure their neighbors thought I was crazy!  So add that to the list of crap you wouldn't normally do if you weren't running: drinking from water hoses from houses you don't know!
10 miles 1:23:01 - 8:18/mi pace  I love to run the 10 mile distance. It makes you feel like you've worked for the day but doesn't leave you spent for hours after.  Which is a good thing since I just signed up for a 10 mile race in Sacramento on 9/12!  I decided to do this race instead of a trail race that day because they have a free kids 1/2 mile race that I want my nephew to do with me.  Should be fun!  If any of you Bay Area peeps are looking for a fun race, come and join me!

My knees are still not happy with me.  The rolling seems to help and I need to stay on top of that.  And icing seems to really do the trick, too.  They are angry and annoying the first mile or so of every run then warm up.  It isn't until I stop running and do my cool down that they start screaming.  I promise, if they don't start to improve soon I will go to the doctor.  I'm just afraid I'm going to get one of those doctor's that tell you to quit running because it's bad for the knees!  I think it's just tight quads so I'll keep up with the rolling and stretching.

Sunday I got up and I had a stiff neck!  Ugh!  I must have slept weird because it was painful (actually still is!).  I had wanted to do 12-14 for the day and just thought I would get out there and see how it would go.  I actually used that stupid Nike mantra, "Just Do It!" to get my butt out there.  About 1/2 mile into my run I saw my cousin Sarah out there running, too!  I crossed the street and joined her!  I love impromptu running dates!  We got all caught up on everything going on in our lives for about 3.5 miles.  She was doing 8 for the day in prep for the Rock N Roll San Jose Half in Oct (I'm going to bandit pace her!).  She was looking good!  But it was getting warm.  So I left her at about 4 miles and headed inside to finish my run.  I did another 8.25 on the mill and called it a day!
4 miles 38:10 - 9:32/mi pace
8.25 miles 1:09:34 - 8:26/mi pace 

I finished the week with 53.25 miles.  And earlier in the week I had passed the 1,000 mile mark for the year!  Whoo hoo!  I think I might actually reach 1,500!  It was a pretty decent week as far as runs go.  I definitely feel like I ran 53 miles for the week, though.  I really like to stay in the 45 range but with the longer runs over the weekend I packed on the miles.  Probably a good thing since Long Beach is just 60 days away!!!

Thanks again for listening to me complain about work!  I swear, it will all get better come 8/31!!!  I promise!  Until then, you may get some posts that contain more complaining than I like :(  What's that saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?"  I think that will be my mantra over the next two weeks!

I'm off to catch up with all of you!  Thanks again to all of you who keep coming back, I don't say it enough but your words of support and encouragement mean the world to me :)
Happy Running and Happy Monday peeps!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

good job on ur runs and congrats on picking a race. also super cute that ur nephew will do the kids race with u! :)

and good luck with the talk with the boss~

ShutUpandRun said...

Nice high mileage week for you!! Good luck with giving notice. Those things always upset my stomach, but it will probably go better than you think it will. Keep us posted!

Becka said...

Great job on the miles and good luck at work!

Ginny M said...

Best of luck! The dreading it is usually much worse than the actual event :)

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Yay on the 1000 miles! I hit that this week too. And awesome mileage this week. And you will be fine when you quit. You are moving onto bigger and better. Be confident! Good luck!

Jo Lynn said...

My thoughts will be with you today.
How do you find *all* these runs?
Have you ever tried Pilates or Yoga? I have found running and cycling a lot less painful since doing Yoga on a regular basis. I'm never sore, anywhere. ;)

Sarah said...

Wow 1000 mile mark, incredible!! You are my running idol. :)

So fun to "run" into you yesterday. Really helped pick up the middle of my run. Let me just say, the last two miles home were BRUTAL though. Little too hot for my taste!

You are going to be just fine today. Give him your notice and get out of dodge! You deserve better!!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

GOOD LUCK BUDDY! Text me and let me know how it goes. BIG HUGS!!

I have an interview this week, soooo hopeful!

I got barely any miles in last week, I NEED to kick it up this week. My buddies are doing 18 on Saturday, not sure if I am in shape for that but I may do it just to get in some miles.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

So funny that you refilled for the neighbors hose! You do what you gotta do, right?!

Good luck going out on your own. Nothing in life is easy and change is about as non-easy as it gets!

Okay 53+ miles, Nice!! I love big mileage weeks. I am just a mileage junkie.

Marlene said...

Great job on the runs - keep taking care of those knees. GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!

Anonymous said...

Good luck today- you know all the answers and that this is right for you- you are doing a great thing for yourself!!!!

Teamarcia said...

Good luck with giving notice--stand firm! We so missed you this weekend!

AM! said...

Just found you via Jill's blog. And sorry to read about your job shifting...but it sounds like it's all for the best.

and I too live in Cal, and am shootin' for the Healdsburg half;-)

Denise said...

oh my gosh! i hope today goes well. this is it...the day you do what you want! so exciting!!! i'm thinking of you.

great mileage last week, despite the aches and pains!

Anonymous said...

Oh yikes! Giving notice is super scary, and the two weeks following them are usally torture (at least for me - I can't wait to get gone!). Good luck to you and you're new endeavors! It will totally be worth it!!

Indi said...

Good Luck!! Change is hard, but this is change on your terms, so that is a good thing!

Heather said...

Great job with your running - take care of those knees.

Good luck this afternoon. I work for a giant male toddler, so I understand being a little unsure about what sort of reaction you will get. :)

J said...

Good luck today!! Hope it all goes smoothly for you! Congrats on passing the 1000 mile mark! That is awesome!

Angela and David said...

Ask around and get a doctor that works with runners. He or she won't tell you to stop running but he may keep your from getting a really serious injury.

And good luck giving notice! I hate those nerves but it's always such a relief when it's over.

Jess said...

Hope it went well this afternoon! Quitting is weirdly scary even when you think to yourself, "What's the worst that could happen...They'll fire me?"

ajh said...

Hope it went well today!

Katie said...

hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs! it seems like your knees are calming down a LITTLE bit, at least, with all this mileage! and i know how today went but still, hugs to you!

Anonymous said...

That's right - show your boss who's boss! Good luck.