Sub 10's

Why is it that some days I can run at a solid 9:45-10minute pace and other days I struggle to stay at a 10:30-10:45 pace?

I need consistency in my life. 

WHEN WILL RUNNING BE EASY?!

Phew, I feel a bit better now that I got that off my chest. 

After my glorious 7.3 mile relay on Saturday, I decided to give myself 2 days off before resuming my half marathon training.  So, yesterday I was back to my regularly scheduled program of the dreaded weekly loooong run.  I mapped out a 9 mile run...because I don't have a Garmin to guide my way (pathetic)...and the hopes and dreams of having a repeat sub 10 or at least a solid 10 pace.  On my way out the door the Hubs announced that if I wasn't back in 1hr 40mins, he would send out the search party looking for me....no pressure...sheesh!  Now, I was determined to run 9 miles in exactly 1hr 30 minutes....and then I got lost.  In my own neighborhood.  Less than 2 miles from my front door.  I am officially directionally challenged.  It's cool though, cause it just makes my need for a Garmin that much more apparent to the Hubs.  Can everyone say Merry Christmas to me ;)

The run itself was good not great, although when you have an AH-MAZING run like I did on Saturday you're pretty much prepared for the fact that the next run you do will never live up to the previous run's awesomeness.  Right?  RIGHT!  Why does running have to be like that?  I mean seriously, who out there has a runner's high every. single. time. you go for a run?  No, wait.  I don't want to hear from you if you have awesomesauce runs on the regular.  It's not normal and I'm totally throwing the bullhonkey flag on you.  It's kinda like parents who pretend that every day with their children is like rainbows and unicorns...ummmm, notsomuch.  I mean I love my hooligans angel faces, but some days are enough to make you go coo coo for cocoa puffs. for reals.  So, I'm choosing to believe that peeps who claim to run like the wind without any pain and suffering on a regular basis are liars.  Moving on....

At the end of the day, I was able to get my 9.45 mile run (hooray for getting lost?) completed in 1:34 at a pace of 9:56....HOORAY!!  I took 3 Clif Shot Blok chews (tropical punch flavor w/caffeine) about 15 minutes before I left for my run and another 3 around the 50 minute mark since I felt myself starting to drag.  I also took super quick breaks to stop and take a drink of water about every 20 minutes.  I've been carrying a Nathan Sports handheld water bottle which I find easier to run with than the fuel belt, and when I took my second round the shot bloks I had to stop and walk.  For some reason when I take energy gels or gummies, I find that the only way to get them down without wanting to vomit is to stop. walk. chew. hydrate. resume running....did you get all that?  So, at the end of the day I stoked on my run because not only did I run at a sub 10 pace, but I did it with making quick water stops and a refueling stop...not to mention stoplights, etc.  I'm really hoping to run the half in November at a 10 minute pace...fingers crossed!!!