It's amazing how something that throws your day off course or something that you're so used to doing or having every day suddenly changes, throws you off course, and then happens to be for the better.

For instance..today I forgot a hair tie to put my hair back for a run. Thank GOD I brought my Met Opera hat because I was able to put it through the hole in the back of the hat with some bobby pins. I really really REALLY didn't want to wash my hair today but I thought I might have to because I had sweat so much during my run and my hair was matted down from the hat. However...I played around with the bobby pins and was able to quickly do a quick little french twist today that looks so cute!! I'll def. being doing this hairdo again soon, especially on days I have to run and don't have time after to fix my hair. This was something I never would have tried had I just had my regular old pony tail holder and done the same thing I always do.

Crummy example..but here's a better one: I was really, truly, 100% dreading running today. I was exhausted, I was falling asleep on the train on the way in, my stomach was bleh, I'm still having this pain on my right side, and then on top of it all..my ipod died as soon as I went to start my run!!! I contemplated running on the treadmill so I could watch the morning TV that I know and love so well...but it was just too nice outside not to run in central park and I really wanted to try and do the full 6 miles loop today. So, I ran it without any music or my running podcasts...just me, and the sounds of Central Park (which are actually quite nice!).

I ran the full 6 miles in 56 minutes!! That's 4 minutes faster than my usual 10 minute mile pace that I just can't seem to break. When I did this same run last week with my MotionTraxx podcast...it took me a little over a full hour to complete, which perplexed me. I think that this particular podcast I've been running to is actually slowing me down!!! I think in an effort to make sure that I'm staying on the beat..I've actually been taking shorter strides. Today I was able to set my own pace depending on how I was feeling and depending on my current terrain. Central Park is hilly...So if I slowed down a little going uphill, I could easily increase my pace going downhill to make up for any lost time. These podcasts are also designed for an average person of 150 pounds..which presumably is someone taller than me, and with a larger stride to begin with. So, the stats that he gives for each episode, are a bit different for me. What I learned today is that there is a constant give and take to running. It's great to be able to keep an even keel pace, especially during a long run...but it's the ebb and flow of pacing and stride that will ultimately be how I'm able to shorten my time in any long distance racing.

I really don't think there is any way I'm going to knock 11 minutes off my time from last year. I went into this hoping I can do the half marathon in 2 hours. As long as it's better than last year's 2:11, I'll be happy. I feel much more prepared this year, particularly for outdoor running and the terrain, so I think that will work in my favor. I also need to make sure I take less and/or shorter breaks (for water and stretching out my right knee, though they both will have to happen at some point). But, all in all I'm so excited for the 25th. I feel like I'm just beginning to lose some steam and the longer runs are starting to take a bigger toll on me. I have a bad shin splint in my left leg, which I'm not sure HOW I got, and my right side pain is soooo annoying. But, I have to remind myself that I'm sooo close to the race, I've kept up this training schedule for the past 3 months straight, and that I've learned a LOT about running, my body and myself in the past year.

Miles Run today: 6
Total Miles Run for 2010: 230.25 (I gotta get this damn .25 outta here)