Balboa Park Run

It was supposed to rain later and figured since I wouldn't join my teammates for a group run tonight in Balboa Park (rain= no fun), I decided to do it on my own during the day instead. I'm not the greatest at running any sort of distance by myself, but I also figured it would be best to do it alone in case my toe acted up (I don't know if I strained it, broke it, or it's just badly bruised- just call me Calamity Kelly).

Since San Diego is SO runner friendly, there was (of course) a large poster on 6th and Yuma (sp?) detailing five different runs that you could do through Balboa park with various degrees of difficulties and mileage. I decided on trail run #2 which was a medium degree of difficulty and 4.1 miles, but also the most scenic since I would be running through where the museums are. It was a beautiful run- spring like weather (about 65 degrees and windy) and I did feel very good for the first two miles. I was REALLY hungry so I figured I would stop for a bit and have a tamale from the outdoor stand- big mistake! Well, tamales are out for race day food, ha ha ha, I think I still have heartburn from 6 hours ago! Also stopped by the Artist Village there where I found out about getting involved...hmmm....

Ran on and off on the way back from the artists village, and actually did some speed work! It felt good to stretch my legs, I don't know where that came from!

Distance: 3.5 miles (ish)- would have been 4.1 but I kept losing the trail markers/couldn't find them.

Mid week run...

Did my mid week run on the treadmill as a reprieve from the pavement for my poor shins, knees and calves, 2.67 miles total with a 5 minute run, one minute walk, 5 minute run, and so on. My body is finally getting used to the different kind of training, and I am VERY happy to report that three weeks ago my heartrate was spiking up to 195 (!) on a two mile run, and now it's only 165 for the same run! WOW! THAT, my friends, is nothing less then a miracle!

I'm trying to learn something new from each run, whether it's about running, myself, or a new route. Waiting to fall in love with running again. Today I focused on my breathing and form- I was told by Ozzie, the chi running coach, to think of the Karate Kid and be centered when running, instead of bouncing from side to side (to prevent hip problems), and also to run with my feet parallel instead of my normal V. Not easy!