Dropping Like Flies

Two weeks from right now I will be on my way to Disney world to run my first half marathon. I say first and not only because if I have learned anything over the last 4 months it's never say you won't do something.

We are down to the wire and I'm doing strange things like emailing the marathoners in my life and asking for advice. I'm reading online articles about tapering your runs and how to carb load gluten free. I've got a pile started in my bedroom of things to take with me.

I ran 5 miles on Tuesday and it was the best run I've had to date. The weather was good. I ran a good pace, I felt great, no aches and pains. I felt good when I finished. I was so excited.

Then it snowed. Again. What's up with that? It snowed once when I was a kid. Once.

Anyway, I finally made it back to the gym this morning and it makes me nervous to not be able to run at least 2-3 times a week. But I'm trying to remember that we are 2 weeks out and it's time to slow down. We do 10 miles tomorrow and then that's the last long run.

It is definitely time to slow down training because we are starting to drop like flies. There are 6 of us going. Among us we've had 2 possible stress fractures, some major hip issues and a fainting spell. It looks like we may all recover by the time we get there, but it's been an interesting few weeks.

I'm just hoping there is an elevator at Cinderella's castle, because....

I'm pretty sure the spiral staircase is out!

10

I ran ten miles today.
Oh, I'm sorry maybe you didn't hear me.
I RAN TEN MILES TODAY!!!!

Four out of the six of us ran 10 miles through Lake Caroline this morning. It was a really pretty run and really I felt great. This was a big jump for me. I had only done 7 continuous miles before today. The others had done 9 the week I had to sit out.

I am beginning see a pattern in my running and I think that's good. I kind of know what to expect. The middle 3 miles are my hardest ones. At no point today did I think I wouldn't finish but miles 3,4 and 5 were slowest for me and I fell a good bit behind the others. I'm a slow walker and when we walked for a minute I fell behind and it took me awhile catch up. Ok so they stopped and waited for me and I caught up. I have good friends!

I also ate my first GU today and regrettably I will have to tell Shane that it wasn't that bad. That's another big set of words I'll have to swallow. We stopped for minute at mile 5 and had our GU and picked back up. We were all so loaded down with GU and jelly beans and gum and chews and whatever else we thought we might need that we might have shaved a minute off of our time if we weren't so weighted down.

I fell behind again at about mile 8.5 but I finished strong and felt great. I felt better after my first 10 miler than I did after my first 5 and 6 milers. I think that means I'm getting stronger. No shin splints, no hip pain. Only really numb feet but I'm getting used to that.

I had a whopper of a foot cramp when I got home so I have come up with a remedy for that this afternoon. I have to go now because.....

I have a pedicure appointment.

A girl has to do whatever is necessary to keep healthy you know!

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