• run: 5 mi
• time: ?
• temp: ?
• road conditions: cold and windy, sunny and warmer, then cold and windy again
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: bf5 - mess, ac newman - ?, nin - gave up, queen - one vision
• comments:  i love football saturdays.  just as i passed the marching band practice area, they started to play and i almost jumped.  weaved around fans walking on the sidewalk.  watched leaves fall right in front of me.  i almost didn't go out because i have a bunch of small projects and errands to do, but i'm glad i did.

• run: 13.1 miles!!!!!!!!!
• time: 2:20
• temp: 54
• road conditions: unpaved roads, trails, pavement, extremely wet
• aches/pains: r knee around mile 9, both knees by mile 10
• what i listened to when i ran:  chatted with my cousin - no headphones!
• comments:  my dad took me to the school where i met up with my cousin so we could take a bus to where the race was going to start at 7:30.  it was dark but not too cool and the rain from yesterday had stopped for a bit.  this made me hopeful.  but by the time the race started, the rain started and didn't let up.  i wore shorts, my purple half zip and my gray rain jacket with new "waterproof" gloves.  i was dressed appropriately to stay warm.  my cousin wore some smart wool layers with a cute cap and looked amazing.  we kept the pace slow, staying side by side, chatting along the way.  the trails and dirt roads weren't completely muddy, but it was a constant challenge to find the driest path and avoid puddles.  it seemed to go pretty quickly until mile 9, when my r knee started to hurt.  and there was this huge hill that seemed so unfair to throw at us so late in the race.  i got to have my first goo - mandarin orange and it was super tasty and helpful.  it just didn't make the knee pain go away.  my cousin's knees were getting weary near the end, but we finished it!  she said he doesn't remember being so wet while wearing clothes in her live.  i agreed.  then we took her partner and my parents out to a vegan reseaurant for post race grub.  it was fun watching my parents stretch their palate and their routine.  it was also sweet how my mom tucked me into bed the night before.  the sweetest part was when my cousin gave me a necklace that had 2 charms - one with 13.1 and the other with traverse city around the smaller charm.  it's like a teeny medal i can wear every day and remember how i toughed out this challenge with the help of my cousin.  would i do another half marathon?  maybe.  will i do a full marathon?  probably not.  i don't have a bucket list.  this was a very good day.

thursday, oct. 11run: 4 mi

• run: 4mi
• time: ?
• temp: 64
• road conditions: warm and sunny
• aches/pains: headache
• what i listened to when i ran: jackson brown - lawyers in love
• comments:  it was 25 degrees in the morning at 5:30, so i decided to wait until after work when it would be warmer to get my last run before the half in.  it felt good in the middle and end.  i needed to run off some anxiety and it helped.

• run: 4 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 37
• road conditions: sunny
• aches/pains: "i've got a pain in my heart, that's all"
• what i listened to when i ran:  guster - amsterdam, nin - ?
• comments:  wore the tank under the half zip with the saucony tights.  good move.  it was like pulling teeth to get me out there.  the girl forgot her book bag and i passed my exit, so it took me almost an hour go get that back to her.  i wanted to turn back the whole run.  i completed the 4 miles.  some days it's harder than others.

• run: 5 mi
• time: ?
• temp: 36
• road conditions: cold
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: elton john - harmony, night ranger - night ranger, the stone roses - i wanna be adored, the avett brothers - something's got a hold on me
• comments:  i like the new juno bra.  it isn't chafing, except for a little bit in the back.  it's big and warm, which is nice for this season.  unfortunately, it was a bit too cold for the capris and half zip without a tank underneath.  i made it, of course, but i was cold the whole time.  i thought about going for 6, but time again was a factor.  i just can't get myself together early enough.  i started getting a little scared about the half marathon during my run and being too cold today made it scarier.  i'll dig out my old tights tonight and wear them tomorrow as i'm guessing i won't be able to fly with the capris for the race.  and i'm NOT wearing my headlamp during the race, either.  

• run: 6 mi
• time: under an hour
• temp: 40
• road conditions: crisp with sun trying to come out
• aches/pains: none
• what i listened to when i ran: army navy - dark as days, ac newman - town halo
• comments:  i'm hoping i'll be ready for the half marathon next week.  i know i will be able to finish it.  i actually am really excited about it.  more about spending time with my family than actually running, but i'm sure it will feel amazing once i've completed the race.  just as long as my dad has my coat waiting for me at the finish line :)

• run: 4 mi
• time: 35 min
• temp: 55
• road conditions: dark and lovely
• aches/pains: rear hurt most of the run
• what i listened to when i ran:  anxieties, prayers
• comments:  half asleep out there.  half asleep most of the day, really.  still glad i got up and ran early.  i really love this 55 degree weather.  put on a half zip and some shorts and i'm good to go.