Casualties of Running?

I headed out for my 8 mile long run today not feeling very confident.  I haven't been keeping up with my workouts as much as I would like so I knew that today would be tough.  Turns out there was more in store for me than I realized.  First of all, I was trying out a new route.  I had looked it over on Google maps just to make sure I could get my distance in.  I didn't look at the details.  When the majority of the streets are named "something-or-other hill" that's your first clue that perhaps there are a lot of hills.  So there was that.  Then, at mile two, some flying insect slams into me at what had to be at least 50% the speed of light and hits me right in the eye.  !!!  I'm trying not to break stride while I pry this thing out of my eye, cursing the whole time because it hurts like you would NOT believe.  I finally peel the stupid bug off and now I'm thinking that it must have had a stinger because the pain is incredible and I'm imaging my eye swelling shut as I continue on my run.  (turns out there was no lasting damage to my eye but it still hurt like the bejeezus)  I plod along up and down the hills and try to distract myself from the pain in my eye by enjoying the beautiful weather (low 60's and sunny) and the expensive houses.  Gray clouds are coming in from the distance.  Thunder storms had been predicted for the evening but I was sure I would be home long before then.  Now I'm not so sure.  With just a little over 2 miles to go the sky is starting to look pretty threatening.  I decide I need to think about heading for home.  All the people who had been outside in their yards are taking notice of the clouds and are packing it up.  I try to run a little faster but it's hopeless after all those damn hills.  My iPod tells me I have one mile to go and I see the first flash of lightning.  Crap!  In the next few minutes the air temperature drops noticeably and the wind picks up.  At the half mile mark I hear the first clap of thunder and the rain starts.  When my iPod tells me I have 400 meters to go I can see my front door and I decide that this is good enough.  The skies open up just as I get my key out.  Whew!

In 7.7 miles I encountered brutal hills, almost lost an eye, and just missed getting soaked.  I think I prefer the easy, uneventful runs.

Blech

Sometimes a good run can be the cure for a bad mood.  Other times a bad mood can make for a horrible run.  The latter was the case today.  I was tired and weather.com said "feels like 37" when I headed out this afternoon.  It was a slow, plodding run around campus.  The occasion twinge of pain in my left knee only made matters worse.  When the best part of a run is the fact that it's over then it's definitely not a good day.  I'm hoping for a better frame of mind for my 7 mile run this weekend.

Minor improvements

The weather has changed for the better lately.  I actually got to run outside in shorts twice last week.  Shorts, people!  It was awesome.  I've managed to get my schedule a little more normal which means fewer workouts missed.  There's still room for more improvement but I'll take what I can get for now.  Tomorrow the high is only 47 but it's supposed to be sunny.  Let's hope we're done with the snow for the season.