catching up on christmas runs

i'm back, for the most part. i tried to read a few blogs over the past week but couldn't really focus enough to leave decent comments so i took a hiatus. i did a little running last week, and i guess it's good that i got something in, but it was a slack, slack week.

12/24 - 6 miles "tempo" aka the rot in hell run. i tried to be positive and think more about my dad and how glad we are that things didn't turn out worse, but i couldn't help but want to wish bad things on the nutjob that did this to him. anyway, i ran hard but i'm sure it could've been better because i felt like junk. i haven't slept well, my eyes weigh about 30 pounds each, and i've eaten maybe 1500 cals in the past two days. i only ate that much because i still want to run (in the daylight only for now) and i know i won't be able did to run at all if i don't eat so i've forced a few things down.

mid-day run: 6 miles, 47:06 (7:51 avg pace), avg/max hr (176/187)

8:09, 160
7:50, 171
7:42, 178
7:44, 181
7:50, 182
7:51, 184

12/25 - 8 miles easy. after a lazy morning waking up and opening presents with the family, we headed over to the high school track for some run/walking. i ran, they mostly walked. initially i thought i'd get up in the morning and run before everyone woke up, but i wasn't in the mood to leave the house. luckily everyone else wanted to get in a little workout too, and they were nice enough to hang out until i ran all 8 of my miles. as we drove over there i thought i'd run the perimeter of the school (a two-mile loop) but when we got there i didn't want to be away from everyone, especially my dad, so i ran laps around the track and the field/tennis courts next to it. the man who called the cops and saved my dads life called while we were at the track and said he wishes he had been able to do more. he certainly did more than enough by choosing to call the cops instead of helping his friend follow through with his plans. we are all very thankful for this man who chose to do the right thing.

the run was ok, still felt crappy but still haven't eaten or slept much. i suppose at least i won't gain a christmas belly, but the semi-post-traumatic stress effect is taking it's toll.

the good news is j got me a treadmill for christmas so i won't have to run out in the dark and i'll still be able to get in my runs, provided i can make myself go run... feeling less and less motivated with all that has happened.

mid-day run: 8 miles, 1:10:58 (8:52 avg pace), avg/max hr (159/190)

12/26 - return of the appetite. i ate too many cookies today, but at least i ate i guess. i even had two real meals, small steps. bad news is i was not up for a run. i was tired and weak (presumably from not eating/sleeping) to run and then once i ate a small but actual lunch i had a little more energy but didn't want to go anywhere to run. some of my sisters and i went to the stores to do some christmas shopping for next year (gotta take advantage of the deals). i spent more time at the stores today than i did in all of my pre-christmas shopping. today i noticed how 'out of it' my brain has been - can't focus on much, even reading emails from friends and catching up on blogs has been put on hold. i don't want to half-read and leave crappy messages so they're piling up until i can really read them.

12/27 - i ate breakfast today, my first for the week. i know, i know, wag your fingers at me. let that digest a bit and then went over to the school with my older sister to run. it was cool and misting but didn't make the run uncomfortable. i ran 6.5 miles around the school and then came home and finished my mileage on my parents' treadmill. i ended up eating three square meals today, also a first for the week.

mid-day run: 8 miles, 1:12:59 (9:07 avg pace), avg/max hr (152, 182)

12/28 - took my third day off for the week. just didn't feel like running 12 (or 2) miles on the treadmill, or running period. it's been a tough week to begin with, and my running really fell by the wayside. it's been hard to be motivated to run, and to voluntarily be away from the family. i'm assuming (and hoping) that with the goofy only a couple of weeks away this week of slack-ness won't hurt me too much.

hope you all had very merry Christmas's with your families, were able to get in all/most of your runs, and kept your hand out of all the delicious holiday goodies.