Rob and I went out for a run last night on our favorite loop, the 3.33 miler that will soon be a place we “once ran” as soon as he moves into my place. It’s a nice little path that runs along the river, behind two elementary schools and some other stuff, and then back out again to meet up with the road, sorta.

Anyway, we were coming from behind the schools when Rob spotted a police helicopter circling overhead. Huh. So while we were trying to figure out what was going on, we came up on a whole cars on the side of the road/firetrucks/local and state police scene, all the while running along the path. We were about to go under this bridge when we saw one of the police cruisers pull off the road and on to the path, drive under the bridge, and stop. The cop got out and was looking around near the river.

What the hell?

We just kept running and it ended up being nothing to worry about. On our return, we saw that the firetruck and some of the cars were still there. I don’t know what was up, but it was a bizarre scene. Oh, and I cut my leg on some type of branch, trying to get out of the way of the police cruiser. Not that I noticed it until we were done running and Rob saw a giant patch of dried blood on my thigh. Heh.

One of the things Rob and I talked about once we were back home was motivation. For him, the problem is more of a getting out the door issue, and for me it’s a just keep going, don’t stop issue. We agreed that I would help get him out there if he would encourage me to just go a little farther (just to that bench, just to the end of the road), and not let me stop every time I want to. That seems like a pretty good plan, and it’s one of the reasons I really like running with Rob, honestly.

Tonight I am hoping to go on a little run before meeting his parents. I mean, there will be a shower in between the two, but you know what I’m saying. :) I think Rob is too tired to run today, so this will be a solo jaunt, and I will get that awesome satisfaction of having gone out while he stayed home, which only slightly makes up for the fact that he is a much faster runner than I am. Heh.

As for weekend plans, I have a crapload of stuff to do in preparation for the kitchen reno. I might buy a bike on Saturday, and I’m going hiking with Rebecca on Sunday.

So what are your plans?

C’mon, sing it with me, now.

Last night I did my first real Brick, and it was hard, and wonderful, and confidence-building. My 90-minute Spin class (the last of the season, sadly) was great, and I felt tired but not completely spent. So when Marcy suggested a short run I reluctantly agreed. I didn’t even have my real running shoes with me, just an old pair with too many miles on them and no orthotics, but it was only 2 miles, so what the hell?

The first half mile was not pretty. We ran at about a 12:00 pace and I had a psoas cramp for the first few minutes. Digging my fingers into my abdomen helped, and eventually it dulled down, but never went away entirely. After the first half mile, however, things improved. I found my pace with Marcy and we even managed to talk a little during the run. The last 500 yards kind of sucked, but I was so happy that it didn’t matter. We had done it!

So now it’s time to readjust my schedule again. With the 90-minute Spin class gone until fall, I’m going back to the 60-minute class on Mondays, and will likely do some more Bricks on those days. Tuesdays are now running days. The GLRRs have their Tuesday 5K series going on, and some of the people in my class are doing that. Marcy and I (the slow runners in the group) will run together, and meet everyone else at the finish line. :)

I guess Wednesdays will have to be swimming days, Thursdays will be running days, and Fridays will be rest days. Saturdays will have to either long run, Sundays long bike. OR, when I start working part time, Fridays can be a bike day and I can take a rest on Sunday. I dunno.

And guess what? My sports bra theory was correct! I can barely believe it, but there you go. Looks like I will have to figure out my clothing situation, but that is a small problem in the grand scheme of things.

The point is, I feel awesome and pretty confident. Dianna and I have a lot of time to train for this tri, the weather is warming up, and I like being in training. I really do. It gives a sense of purpose to my workouts. Most importantly, I am learning to have fun with it and to not put so much pressure on myself. That is a good thing, indeed.

I had been talking to Mark a few months ago about how I was having trouble breathing on my runs. I just couldn’t get enough air, even going slowly, and it was difficult to run more than 3 miles or so. It was so bad that I was actually considering going to the doctor for a stress test to see if I had some sort of heart problem. My chest just felt constricted all the time, and it scared me.

So today I’m out running with Rob and low and behold, same thing. I got all upset and started crying, saying “what the hell is wrong with me? Why can’t I run?” And then it occurred to me. My bra. On Thursday, as you’ll recall, I forgot a sports bra and had to run in a regular underwire. That run was fantastic. Today, same conditions, and I can’t run for shit. Hrm.

See, since I have small boobs, I wear a compression style bra, which keeps everything in place, but does that by being very small and tight, smashing everything down and pulling it in. And the bras I have may just be too small. I tried pulling the bra down, so that it was less restrictive, and whaddayaknow, I could breathe a lot better. Holy. Hell.

Tomorrow I am going to wear this top I have that has a built-in bra. It’s less restrictive than the compression bras I own, so we’ll see how my theory, ahem, holds up. If I’m right, I may just need a new bra or two, and can save the smashola-style for spinning, yoga, and weight training.

I’m laughing about it now, but I was really upset this afternoon. I mean, how dumb is this whole situation? Honestly. If this is what has been holding me back, I am going to kick my own ass.

If you forgot to pack your sports bra into your backpack, you can still run in a normal underwire bra. It’s not particularly pleasant, mind you, but it’s not painful. It doesn’t look great, but throw a second shirt on and it helps keep the visuals to a minimum. Point is, if you’re small, no (sports) bra is no excuse. :)

Hooray for small boobs!

So, Rob and I ran last night after work. It was a perfect run in many ways. Our short, 3.33 mile loop seemed easier, and while we didn’t run much faster than last week (i.e., still pretty slow compared to the fall), it was pretty effortless. I mean, there was some sweating and I was tired at the end, but it was fine. My 5 miler this weekend should be okay, too.

Before the run, I was feeling all anxious and scared, and honestly, I didn’t want to go. Rob had hockey last night and didn’t want to go either, but I asked him to run with me because I needed that push out the door and that push to keep going yesterday. It has been hard, getting back into the swing of things after so much time off, and I’ve been so weird about running. I love it, but I’ve been nervous that I can’t finish my stupid 3 milers. But then, when I’m out there, I finish them. It’s dumb, really. I need to just get over it.

The other thing that made my run great was the scenery. I mean, the sun was setting and the air was cool, maybe 55º, and I was wearing my New Haven Road Race shirt – the race I did with Dianna, April Anne and Michelle last year – which made me think about them and how wonderful it was to meet them in person.

Anyway, bolstered with confidence from yesterday’s wonderful run, I’m feeling ready for a mileage increase, some healthy, workout fueling meals, and more time outside. Life is pretty good. :)

Last night, I went to my first 90 minute spinning class in a month. Any guesses as to how that turned out? Actually, not as bad as I expected. I finished, but my legs were shaking and I felt like I was going to puke. I didn’t even have the resistance turned up as high either. I also found out that next week’s class will be the last 90 minute session until fall, so I will go back to taking the 60 minute class on Mondays, I guess. So it goes.

I suppose that my tri-training schedule will have to be moved around a bit. Hrm. Oh, and speaking of that, Dianna and I are going to sign up for the Danskin today. Woohoo!

Anyway, I feel pretty good this morning. My ankles and feet are a little stiff, but other than that, I’m fine. Today was supposed to be a running day, but it is going to be hot, so I’m going wimming tonight (drills, of course), and will run tomorrow when it’s 54 instead of 84.

Which leads me to the annual Morning Running Debate, as it has come to be known. This year, I am going to attempt to stick with it, honest. I LOVE running after work along the Charles, but in the summer it is just too damn hot and sticky at 6pm. Rob likes to run in the morning, and once he moves in, it should be easier to get up and get going. Or at least that’s what I am hoping.

In other weird news, the scale read 143 this morning, which cannot be right. Hormones or something? That is low, for me. Or maybe I’m back on track with my eating (please, oh please, oh please).

Yeah, so. Tonight it’s a quick stop at Home Depot, then onwards to the pool. Rock!

It was a beautiful, crisp day in Boston – opening day at Fenway, as well – so Rob and I decided to run together last night. It was just what I needed, that little push, to get me out the door. We did an out and back for just 30 minutes, going slow, talking a little, enjoying the run. Nothing particularly eventful or strenuous, just a nice, easing-back-into-it feeling. It wasn’t hard at all, mostly because we were going so slow.

My hip has been a little funny for the last couple of weeks. Actually, it’s more of my upper hip/butt area – piriformis and such. I think it’s from sleeping on: a plane, a train couchette, a futon, another train, two hard hotel beds, another futon, and finally, another plane. Basically, everything is all out of sorts. Some good stretching and maybe a massage will do the trick. Unfortunately, I am headed home to Ohio for a few days, and time might be a little scarce for massages and the like… but I do plan to run while I am home, and will do some dog walking in there as well.

I have a lot to do before I leave tomorrow after work, but I am hoping to do something tonight, be it a swim or weights, or something. It’s unlikely that I can make my spinning class (have to work late, to make up for all the time I am taking off this month), but once I’m back for good, the Official Tri Training begins. Woohoo!

That is the question I know that some of you have been asking. Well, you can thank typepad for my eaten post, the one that explained about my trip to Europe and all the details about when I was leaving and when I’d be back.

So. I’m back. Missed you all! Well, I did, but not enough to give up 2 weeks in Europe with amazing full fat dairy products that are like… like an edible orgasm, I kid you not.

Anyway, I left for Paris on the 26th, and the 10 days before that were a complete blur. You know how it is when you are preparing to go away for an extended period of time – cleaning out your fridge, arranging for pet care and mail pick-up, finishing up work projects, doing 8571 loads of laundry (all of which will come back reeking of cigarette smoke from Paris). Busy stuff, I say.

The quick outline of the trip was as follows. Flew to Paris, arriving on Easter Sunday. Spent the afternoon there with my American friend Gabrielle, who lives in Paris now, and then got on an overnight train to Berlin, where I met up with my friend Christine, who was travelling from Iran, by way of Vienna. Following along, so far? :) Christine and I spent 4 full days in Berlin at my friend Justin’s (another American living abroad), and seeing a lot of art. Then on Friday the 1st, we took the train to Amsterdam, stayed there for 3 days, then hopped on a train for Paris, where we finished out our second week. Whew. Pictures soon.

Tonight will be my first run in almost 3 weeks. I am excited and dreading it at the same time. On the other hand, I am happy to be easing back into my normal routine, albeit slowly and with heavy breathing. :)