Day one of this week

Today was a short run day.
I did about 4.4 miles, including a warm-up and cool-down walk of about 2 minutes on either side of my run. I ran about 4.15 miles or so at 5.8 mph on the treadmill. Tomorrow's run is 5. Thursday is 4. Saturday is 7.

I'm trying to alter my running schedule a little by following The Book more closely. I'm really enjoying reading the book I mentioned below and am hoping that the tools I've found useful will continue to help me along.

I've found a couple of their "mental" suggestions have been really helpful:

1) Finish your mental thoughts with "but it doesn't matter ..."
For example: My ankle is bugging me and I really don't like this course ... but it doesn't matter.
Or: I'm so exhausted and I just wish today's run were over ... but it doesn't matter.
Because it doesn't matter. I'm still going to/need to run it, so it doesn't matter. Shut off the negative thought before it has a chance to infiltrate your thoughts for the rest of the run. This suggestion is also easily applicable to the rest of your life.
For instance: This bus driver is driving so damn slow and I need to get to work!!! But it doesn't matter. It doesn't, does it? Because he's/she's driving; you're not. And you're going to get there anyway, unless you're planning on getting OFF the bus. So it doesn't matter. It might suck, but it doesn't matter. Just let it go.

2) "Come run with me." Invite your pain, your lowness, your heavy breathing to come run with you. Talk to your struggle: Shins, you're giving me some trouble today. Come run with me. Come be with me in this endeavor.
I KNOW it sounds so ridiculous and earthy/crunchy, but it absolutely worked. It was so bizarre. It worked. Instantly. Almost better than "but it doesn't matter." Try it! Invite your woe to join you on your journey.

We (I?) register for the race tomorrow. It will be "official," though I already feel dedicated and official without giving them my fee and getting my number and chip. I'm very concerned and very sad about Kellie and the possibility that she won't be able to join me. I loved the idea of having a partner with whom to train and accomplish this feat, and I loved that it was/is Kellie. But I certainly don't want her to injure herself more. What's very frustrating about this is that she was/is doing everything correctly. She's not been doing too much too soon, I don't think, and she's being careful and diligent. I hope that the doctor gives her the ok, and only recommends maybe a chiropractor or physical therapist, and makes it all better. But I really have no expertise in this subject, so I've asked Bro to weigh in if he has a chance.