Thoughts on the run

So, the goal last night was to get in a 3 mile run, well, I ended up around 2.2. Not because I couldn't finish 3 because I think I could, but I also need to focus on speed and form. I used to run 7:30 to 8:00 pace pretty consistently. Lately, that's dropped to like a 11:00 or so pace, which is the big old suckola. It happened over time. Weight gain, stress, the divorce making me stop running for a long, long time (laziness is the word I'm looking for here). Well, I just had to start all over again a couple years ago. I was able to get the miles in, but the form that brought my speed went to hell. So, last night I really concentrated on finding a breathing rhythm and striding out. I mean, I have long assed legs, why have I been running with these tiny little strides? So I really put some thought into my run last night and my pace was a TON faster. Of course I had to stop a few times to stretch, breathe etc, but I still managed to lengthen the run by .2 miles. I'll do the same tonight and maybe a little farther tomorrow. I want to run a 5K but if I can't break 30 minutes I'm too embarassed to even sign up. So, I'll be training my butt off all winter and my goal is to get 55:00 0r so at Bolder Boulder. I know I can do it, I just need to put some thought into it and not go through the motions.

So, as I was thining about my stride length and trying to keep my breathing slow, my normal thoughts of winning a karayoke contest turned more towards mountain climbing. I love hiking and don't get to do nearly enough of it. And I am going to Colorado this year... so do you think I can con anyone into taking me hiking or trail running while I'm out there? I started having visions and fantasies of climbing various mountains, like the ones I climbed at Tahoe, Yosemite. Pikes Peak... Everest. yes, I was visualizing climbing Everest.... I wonder what I'd have to do to climb Ranier? How fun of a hash weekend could we make that?

Ok, I need to stop. But, my thought while running certainly entertain me. Although I normally sing in my head with my ipod and think about karayoke and how everyone will tell me how awesome I am (I suck in a big way). Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?