Will Run For Ice Cream

This was my first long run since the VA Beach half. I can't say that it was easy. I can say that I finished (thanks to a great Running group that I met with this morning).

The reality is setting in that the Marathon is getting closer. I have an 18, 20, fall back week, 22, then taper.. wow... that's only 3 long runs before the Marathon... say what?!? Yes.. that is a scary thought.

Breathe in, breathe out, don't freak! AAAAHHH.. ok.. this is getting really real. I just got the rest of my tweaked training schedule. When I started this adventure, it was a long list. Now my schedule doesn't even fill up a half sheet of paper. YIKES.

I just want to finish this. Sure, I'd like to finish in a specific time. It would be a lie if I said otherwise. But my ultimate goal is truly just to finish. I can't believe that in a couple of short months I (hopefully) can say that I completed my first Marathon!

Tip of the day ... Don't forget the Glide

So I'm pretty much terrified of running in the dark alone. I've been telling myself that I was doing my long run this Wednesday morning. But last night I psyched myself out. I set my alarm for 5am and told myself I was getting on the treadmill. I'd never run more than 6 miles on the treadmill.

I had to make 2 bathroom pitstops, but overall this was just a typical gut it out long run.

I had sent a running buddy a text earlier and she text me back and told me to do either 9 or 11 miles for 9/11. I got it in my head to do 11 since I needed to run 2 hours today.

I pushed the last mile a little too fast but I just wanted off!

But Long Run completed for the day!

Sooooo.. I was told not to run any farther than 3 miles until I had no pain while running (with a NO cheating thrown in there). I did make it 3 miles on the treadmill today (yeah!), but I had slight pain in my calves and behind my knees (boo!). Also, I usually run with the incline at 1%, but I had to keep it at 0% today. I guess that means I'm still recovering from the Half. This has thrown my training schedule off, but thankfully I'm not freaking out about it (at the moment). It's also going to be off the next couple of weeks; I'm just trying to make the best of it.
I'm happy that I'm able to run 3 miles and that things are improving. I did yoga today and was very surprised at how tight everything was. But I was also shown some stretching exercise to help with my knee.
So it looks like tomorrow will be another 3 miler and see how it goes.

Wow, humid would be a great word to describe this race.

Since I was worried about stomach issues, I got up early to give myself time to eat and hydrate. I got up at 3:00am, sat on the balcony, listened to the ocean and chewed my bagel slowly. Wow it was humid out at 3:00am!

I went down to the lobby a little before 6. I was nervous, but more just ready to run this and get it done. We walked down to the starting line. The lines for the portapotty were insane. In fact, they weren't even moving. After standing in line for awhile, we realized that we weren't going to make it. So we headed off to our corrals. My friends were in 6. I was in 9.

Standing in the corral, I realized being short had it's disadvantages. I was smashed in between people, couldn't see anything but backs and butts. The heat was stifling. Finally the race started and the first corral was released. Little by little we made our way to the start line. Finally it was my turn.

I crossed the mat, started my garmin…