Better than yesterday

RUN 12 miles in 1:50

Yesterday I ran 13 miles in 9:33, and today I ran 12 in 9:14. Same type of course -- in town and flat. Today was  FoPa, fewer traffic stops, and admittedly fewer walk stops. Seemed yesterday I just wanted to stop and walk a lot more.

Although today I did pause to walk, so maybe that's not the difference? Well anyway.

Again, ate too much before the run. What gives? When I have a slow-motivation morning and I'm at the house longer I have more time to eat, I get hungrier as the morning passes. But so many weekends now (and yesterday!) I've been eating too heavy before a run. Ugh. I think I'd be better off just popping a gel right beforehand? Instead of trying to have a meal of potato and egg?

I planned to do a trail run, but had no motivation to drive that far. And my mind kept jumping to the Chubb trail. The dogwoods are blooming, reminds me of my Double Chubb race in 2011. But the DC race is this weekend! So of all weekends that's not a good one to run the Chubb. Maybe that's why mind kept jumping to it, like a trick.

Since I had to drive and run errands anyway, I changed out of my trail shoes and into the road ones and drove to FoPa planning a two loop run. Booooring, I know! Another beauty of a day, full sun and light winds. More full sun to add to the light sunburn I got on my arms during the bike ride yesterday.

Started the loop in reverse, no podcast today because I forgot to bring my earbuds. This was a good thing in the end, I certainly didn't mind it, but my head is so full of stuff sometimes! The plan was to briefly walk every 2 miles. The miles went by slowly.

Around the water bridges (turtles!), up the dino hill, past the zoo (saw C PS ride by), to skinker, then as planned out-n-back on Wydown until 6 miles at which point I'd turn around. *Beep*, turn around, back to FoPa, saw a beagle or basset in one of those yellow bike trailers (CUTE), then a water fountain. Thirsty!

As I'd promised myself, I climbed Skinker hill (was tempting to skip) and saw PS ride by again, up down around now I knew the trail well as I see it every Thursday. My mind was busy, thinking about my butterfly tattoo plans, 100 miles plans, doubt about upcoming 50 mile race, wondering why I overate before this run....my gut was starting to hurt. But I kept chugging along, planning again to stop every 2 miles to walk 30-60 seconds but didn't need to every time. Finally got done, surprised at my time being faster than yesterday. Took a lot of self talk and encouragement, but it's done!

BIKE 26 miles
RUN 50.4 miles
BIKE COMMUTE 50 miles
STRENGTH 2 hours