Long Run Sunday

For some reason, I seem to always need an extra day to get used to the idea of a long run. I schedule all long runs on Saturdays. Then I make up excuses, go back to sleep, and have to do the long run Sunday. Yesterday, I planned on getting a 12 miler in the morning, then going to the apple festival to reward myself. Well, it was very cold and rainy all day, so I convinced myself that I was getting sick.

But that clearly did not stop me from going to the apple festival and getting pumpkin funnel cake and deep fried oreos. 

As a side note, I wasn't a big fan of deep fried Oreo. The Oreo gets too soggy, but the funnel cake was awesome. 

Then I got some veggies and fruits to make a balanced diet. 

I would have taken picture of my corn and hot chocolate, but it was gone too quickly.

For fruit, I chose to have caramel coated apple with white chocolate chips, m&m's and nut toppings. 

Great fueling for the long run. And it must have worked, because despite the chilliness, I logged 10 miles in 9:06/mile pace with the last two miles at my Oak Tree Half goal pace.For the Bread Run, I am just aiming for something less than 10:10/mile. It was a great confidence booster that maybe I would be able to finish the half marathon this coming weekend despite a sad lack of training. 

Oh and I finally got to try cliff shot blocks. I didn't get that magical boost in energy, but it didn't disagree with  me. A step in the right direction!

All in all, it was a great way to start October. A great run along with tons of junk food. Hopefully rest of October stays awesome. 

And just to start your October with awesomeness, here's a picture from i<3 to run on fb. I found this sacrilegious since I'm Christian, but it still made me smile. And I sort of think of it whenever I do a long run on Sundays. 

Please don't be offended. 

Things that made me run

September was a terrible month for me running wise. It's a month of my lowest mileage since I started running this year. But now October and cool weather are here. I plan on getting my runs in during the middle of the day so there's nothing stopping me. But I did get in one last run of the month today. I got in 4 miles at 9:02 pace.  And now as per the title, here are the things that made me run.

1. New clothes. I am not a big clothes shopper, but new running clothes are the best!

I am pretending to run really awkwardly. You can tell by how my left foot is completely flat on the ground. 

I thought it would be a good idea to break out the winter running pants, since it was slightly chilly. I opted to wear my shorts over the tight running pants, because I am not a big fan of tight clothes around my crotch area. Unfortunately, it was a little too warm during the run.

2. Errands to run.(pun intended)

Nothing calls for a run more than having to go to the post office that's a good half a mile away. 

I ran with a giant white envelope a dollar to go mail my rent check. Although, it was totally unnecessary since I found place that sold stamps 0.1 miles from where I live. But my garmin was on and I couldn't go back after 0.1 miles of running.

3. Apple festival
Picture for this will probably come later. Apple festival is tomorrow. Pumpkin funnel cakes. 'Nuff said.

4. Halloween
While, I've never been the one to dress in a risque costume like my fellow college mates who walk the streets of collegetown, I'd like to keep the option open.

Yes, I even wore an undershirt underneath my respectable doctor costume. 

In my defense, it snowed a little in the morning, so it was freezing.

5. Bread Run
What? I signed up for a half marathon and it's in a week? I really messed up this one. I have no idea how I will complete a half marathon in a week with dismal training. But I will get to add a shiny new medal to my collection if I'm not found dead on the side of some good ol' rolling hills.

Here's to a new month and getting back up to 30+ miles a week! And funnel cakes!