Will Run For Ice Cream

I hope to get an 8 mile run in tomorrow. My last attempt at a long run didn't turn out the way I expected - stomach issues and I'll leave it at that. I've made a few modifications to my diet today. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be incident free. I'm also going to try running without my water bottle belt. That has been one major change for my last two runs that have turned out to be somewhat disastrous. So I'm going to leave it behind and see if it makes a difference. I sure hope so. It's not fun to go out for a run scared that I will be plagued by stomach issues. I started swimming as cross training this week. I'm not really sure you can call it swimming as I basically 'dog paddle', but at least I am moving. I wanted to add some additional cardio to my work out routine. But I have my route mapped out for tomorrow... hopefully it will be a good run.

It was GREAT to run with my best friend again. The three days that I spent with her, we ran 6 miles one day, hiked 8 miles another day, then ran another 5 miles my last day there. It was wonderful. I know myself well enough to know that if I didn't get back into running as soon as I got home, that it would be difficult for me to start back again. That being said, I ran yesterday after work. And I just finished a 2 mile (slow run) in the rain. I'm starting my half marathon training, and this week I am to run a total of 16 miles. I plan to run my long run on Friday. I can see improvement in myself... and I'm happy about that!

I'm surprised that I am so sore. I expected my calves to be sore. Instead it is my quads. It's a good kindof sore though. It lets me know that I worked hard.

I ran my first 10K today. I was more than nervous. In fact, I was so nervous that I almost backed out. But, I knew I could do it. I was just afraid that I would be disappointed in myself. But in the end, I’m proud of myself. The weather was nice - not too hot or humid and not too cold. I couldn’t complain. The route was flat, which was helpful. The route along the river, as usual, was beautiful. Pacing is difficult for me. Not knowing how far I had gone or how much farther I had to go was difficult and distracting. We had water stops, but we didn’t have any one calling out times or mileage. But overall, I did ok. I wanted to finish in an hour. I didn’t reach that goal, but I came close. I came in at 1:02:28. A 10:04 pace. I’m pleased with myself. It was tough, but I did my best. And for that, I am proud of myself.