update!

I think I'm officially giving up on consistency. But I also won't try to make anyone read this, so I guess it's cool.

It seems like it was about fifty years ago now, but I should probably follow up on the 10k from October... It was successful, although it was a lot more difficult than I had anticipated since I hadn't gotten to train much for the distance. Other contributing factors to the feeling-crappy were not eating nearly enough beforehand (two pieces of buttered white toast from a gas station diner that I then smeared PB on is not enough, it turns out. Next question: should this have been a surprise..?) and the freezing wind that I felt like I was running into for at least 4 of the 6 miles. Otherwise I really enjoyed myself. Minster is in the middle of nowhere, and most of the race was out on the highway that runs past a bunch of farms. A lot of families were out in their driveways with signs and boomboxes, which was really fun. I finished in 1:09:32 (11:11 pace), which I was very happy with... especially with how crappy I felt that day. I may have forgotten to attach my timing chip to my shoe, which I noticed about two minutes to the start so I looked at the clock when I crossed each line and subtracted. After, they gave us drinkable yogurt (thanks, nearby Dannon factory!) and I walked around the Oktoberfest and ate and had beer. It was a great first 10k!

Since then, I've been consistently running about three times a week. I'd really like to be doing four, but during the semester I haven't really been able to make that happen... too many days where I'm away from the apartment from 8-8 or so. Instead, I've tried to be super efficient with those runs -- one normal, one speed, and one long. Some weeks those don't all happen, but it does seem to be working well overall... I'm feeling great and getting faster and running longer!

Yesterday, I ran 8.5, my longest so far by either a mile or a mile and a half (can't remember), and even though I was wiped out by the end and had snow blowing in my eyes and going up my nose the ENTIRE time, I had a great time. I think I ran it in about 1:35 (11:10 pace), but I was also deliberately keeping it slow. It's cool to know that a slow run in January was the same pace as my pushing-myself 10k in October. I also feel now for the first time like I really am going to be ready for the IU Mini (1/2) Marathon on March 31. I celebrated today by registering -- and it was still early enough to get my $15 off for doing the Mini 5k last year. I'm starting to get excited now!

I am also about a month away from my first ten miler (I'm increasing mileage super conservatively after last year's burnout), which I'm extremely excited for. Aaaaand I turn 25 this Thursday. Hooray for milestones!