I typically do tempo or speed type work on Wednesdays whether I’m training for something or not. Just because. So, today I decided to take some speed on. It was challenging, but it made my hour of running go by much quicker than my normal easy pace. I warmed up 15 min, tempo/progression 35 min, with a 10 min cool down.

The last 10 min of the tempo, I had a mixture of ugly faces, big smiles and lot’s of singing (hopefully not out loud). Usually on my easy runs, I people watch like crazy and “live tweet” from the treadmill, but I could have easily been the subject of a “live tweet” yesterday. “Girl with the bad boob job needs to stop smiling and making ugly faces at the same time.” (Only 5 more weeks until these expanders are out- won’t be bad for long!!) Something about the last few minutes of a tough workout, I usually end up smiling because the hard work has felt good and I’m so thankful to have accomplished it and complete it. Ready to take on the world. Or at least take on Marshall for the rest of the day. 

I’ve been into running for an hour a lot of days. I like the hour, I break it up into 15 minutes chunks in my head and it’s super manageable. 

Below is what my training has looked like since I was cleared to run:

I have 5 more weeks of building before I have my reconstruction surgery. I’m planning to hit 20 miles for my long run sometime during the week of January 6th. I’ll feel much better about my 4 week post surgery down time if I have a 20 miler under my belt first!

And when the winter comes- the treadmill & I become good friends. And with the treadmill comes a lot more music listening. I actually don’t mind cold weather running too much myself (if it’s not 5am or still dark out), but honestly the treadmill is just easier than a stroller run when it’s super cold out.

So here’s a little playlist action for you:

1. Outta My System– My Morning Jacket

2. Sydney – Brett Dennen

3. Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert

4. Safe and Sound – Capitol Cities

5. Holdin on to Black Metal – My Morning Jacket

6. Something Beautiful – NeedtoBreathe

7. B.O.B. – Outkast

8. Heart of the City – Jay-Z

9. The Fixer – Pearl Jam

10. 25 to Life – Eminem

11. My Chick Bad – Ludacris

12. ATLiens – Outkast

13. Lover of the Light – Mumford and Sons

14. Marker in the Sand – Pearl Jam

15. Sounds like Hallelujah – The Head and the Heart

Celebration number 1- I went out for my first run today– what we call the MK loop (Meridian Kessler). We made this route up when we first moved to South Broad Ripple and then I used to run it a lot I was pregnant & running shorter distances- it’s around 3.5 miles and runs up Pennsylvania and back down Washington. 

I have to say, I felt 10,000 times more comfortable than my first post giving birth to Marshall run. I honestly think having a C-Section had a lot to do with that though. I know a lot of ladies get out and run much sooner than I did with Marsh (I waited the full 6 weeks). But, it took my lower belly a few good months to feel normal again afterward. I ran two marathons (month four & five post baby) before I really started to feel myself again running. There was some scar tissue stuff going on that had to work itself out, thankfully it did on it’s own. 

So I ran with big C today, pretty easy. I didn’t wear a watch or anything, but I’m sure what felt like a 7:45 minute mile was probably an 8:45-9:00 minute mile.  Regardless, the run made me confident that I can whip back into shape pretty quick, although I know it will take some time. I will have one more hiccup when I have my second surgery and that date is pending. That surgery aint no thang compared to surgery number one. 

SOOOO, you wanna know what those tunes were for my first run back? Don’t get too excited, the run was only 3.5 miles and my taste in music is ALL OVER the place. 

• Ain’t Life Grand – Widespread Panic 
• Just makes me happy.

• I wanna Dance with Someone – Whitney Houston 
• Just makes me happy. 

• Comeback Kid – Brett Dennen
• Makes me picture myself with a comeback from surgery and crossing the finish line of my next marathon in a time I’m proud of. Can I be the comeback kid that everyone loves like in the song?

• 22 – Taylor Swift 
• Makes me wanna dance, and run fast, and be 22, and then I remember 30 is way better than 22 in reality.

• I’m Amazed – My Morning Jacket
• Makes me happy- wanna sit on the front porch with a sour beer & listen to this again later.

• Fastest Girl in Town – Miranda Lambert 
• Makes me wanna run fast.