Stuck on Slow

I think I’m stuck in a rut. I’m still running – trying to get in at least 20 miles most weeks. But on each run, I seem to be stuck on slow. I don’t know if it’s the heat or not having a race to train for but I seem to be in slow mode.

Plus, I’ve been kinda quiet in the blogosphere so here’s a rundown of what’s been going on in my running life for the last few weeks:

• I’m breaking in a new pair of running shoes. I usually run in Brooks Adrenaline GTS and I like my Brooks but I won a pair of New Balance 760 in a raffle so I’m giving them a try and so far so good. They’re comfortable but the soles aren’t as firm as my Brooks. My longest run in them has been 8 miles and my feet felt fine so they’re keepers.
• I took a few trips. I went to New York/New Jersey and Michigan. The humidity and heat in the Tri-State area was pretty intense. I only ran once and I was spent by the time I had finished. My trip to Lake Michigan was great. I ran along the water one morning. The weather was perfect for it – 60s and breezy. I told my husband we have to go back. The water was beautiful.
• I started a new job. Adjusting to a new work schedule coupled with the heat changed up my running schedule. I really wanted to run in the morning but the local park and running trails don’t officially open until 7 a.m., which doesn’t allow me enough time to run and get ready for work. I told myself I was going to get up at 5:30 a.m. and run in the neighborhood but the one time I did that, I saw how dark it was and went back to bed. I don’t like running in the dark alone. I don’t feel safe. So that leaves running after work, which I do from time to time, and cross training on the days when it’s too hot to run.
• I figured out a simple solution to my sports bar woes – wear two. I’ve been doubling up for about a month and haven’t had any chaffing problems. Plus I can now run in tank tops. I should have thought of that a long time ago.
• I’ve been bike riding with my husband, although we fell off the wagon since our vacations. Our longest ride was 18 miles. Cycling is great cross training so I’m enjoying it. Plus my husband refuses to run outside of the gym so this is something we can do together.

So what am I going to do to break out of my running funk? Well my running partner, who is faster than me, is running again. She broke her foot the day before the Glass City Marathon and had to take two months off from running. Now she’s healthy and we’ve been running together. Most of our outings so far have been long runs and we run at a fairly moderate pace. We’re planning to do tempo and speed workouts but they haven’t started yet. Also several of the local running stores offer marathon and half marathon training programs to get folks ready for fall races. We’re been doing the group long runs on Saturday mornings. It’s been a great way to meet people and running with a group always pushes me.

How about you? What do you do to break out of your running ruts?