Blisters and pressure

There's two things that are pretty much guaranteed to make me cranky: bad workouts and being hungry.

Both of them are a factor in my mood tonight- which really sucks because it was a gorgeous day in Seattle! I could easily solve one by going downstairs and snacking on something in the fridge- except there's nothing to eat down there!

So, instead, I'll get this off my chest, grab my shoes and head to a friend's house and maybe grab something on the way.

I've been having workouts that haven't been up to my own expectations recently. I know I ran a marathon just 19 days ago- so taking some time off is necessary. Especially to heal the large blood filled blister on my middle right toe. Which has now opened up and has exposed several layers of skin. Eww. But, this week, I started running again, just a couple miles. Last night, I had to cut it short due to a blister forming on the ball of my right foot (what's up with the right side of my body??? Shin, knee, foot, neck...)

The problem is that I tend to have high pretty high expectations for myself. And, the people I see most in the gym are males- so I can't compare myself to that. But, it's difficult to be on the treadmill next to them sweating like a pig and in pain and they're just gliding along and at a faster speed. It's even worse when they start asking me questions and for advice because they're newer to running and know I've done several types of events and distances. I mean, it's awesome that they trust and respect my opinion and want to hear about my experiences, but sometimes, when it's going rough, I just want to put my head down and slog through. I love these guys though and it's much easier to get my butt to the gym knowing they'll be there. And they do tell me quite a bit how cool/awesome/inspiring my stories are to them... which always makes me blush a little, but deep down it makes me feel really good- at least when it's inspiring. In fact two people I work with just registered for the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, which neither would have done without me- I actually filled out the entry form for one. :)

I need to remind myself that everyone has bad days, from novices to elites and it's nothing to dwell on! So now, I'm going to find something delicious to eat and go hang out with some fun friends.

Run hard!

Garmin 305

Tonight was my first official run with my new Garmin 305. Okay, so I know it's not the newest model out there, but it was free. Well, pretty much free. I had enough "reward" points at work to get it. It arrived just before the Surf City Marathon, but I held off using it knowing that I might get addicted and three days wouldn't be enough to learn it well enough to run a marathon.

So tonight after work I headed out for a short run. The weather was perfect- just crisp and clear enough to need a lightweight long-sleeved top and gloves. I haven't quite mastered the buttons on my new toy yet, and the Heart Rate settings aren't totally customized to me yet, so the beeping was a little out of control as it yelled at me to speed up or slow down, and told me my heart right was too high or too low. However, I could easily ignore it for a couple miles. It was so cool to see how my heart race or pace changed on a hill. I love it!!!

Anyway, at the end of my run I could see my average heart rate and pace. Not bad. And I loved being able to see my run mapped out and how far it actually was instead of guesstimating.

Basically- I love my Garmin 305!!!! I can't wait to learn all the functions so I can maximize it's potential.

Anyway, I just made a delicious pasta/vegetable dinner that I must go eat. Mmmm, butternut squash ravioli!