Not Even a Week Away!

Today is Tuesday and my half is on SATURDAY whoohoo...it is FINALLY within a 'touchable' distance... it was really hard keeping myself motivated during the long training plan I had, I don't think I'll do that again. I want to keep my training down to maybe 10 weeks max, maybe even just 8. After having this under my belt and as long as I keep doing some kind of running that should work out for me.

Did my first double-digit run Sunday. A nice and slow 10 miler and I felt really good afterward, had a Cliffs energy gel before and another one at the turn around point and I know that really helped with the fatigue and ward off some dehydration. I still felt strong after my finish and that is my main concern about the race. I want to make sure I am not being carried over the finish line.

Jason is really worried about the after - he doesn't use the energy gels and I told him that will probably help with that but he doesn't listen to me. Hopefully he will be ok. I'm just so ready to do it and get it over with, I keep going over in my head my strategy...easy out, bridges are first so that will be the first challenge, but I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself regarding finishing in a particular time..at the same time there is a course limit. It is hard to keep all of that in mind and still try to enjoy the experience.

Oh well whatever happens happens right?

Closer and Closer!!

Only 12 more days! TWELVE days until my very first half marathon...YIKES!!!!!!! Not getting the crazy dreams like I did when I ran the River Run the first time, partly because I've had that experience..ok it wasn't 13.1 miles but 9.4 aint nothing to sneeze at. The closer it gets though the more I start to worry about the after. I didn't feel terrible after the River Run, really tired of course, but 1. the weather was cooler and 2. it wasn't as long as this run will be so there is that bit of worry in the back of my head.

All I want to do is to finish, I'm not trying to do it in any specific time - other than less than 3 hours. It would be nice to do it in 11-12 min pace, I'm going to just have to keep running - even if it is barely a run lol...the bridges are first which is good, my legs will still be strong and they will be done and over with and it will be all flat ground after that.

I tested out a GU energy gel and a Cliff Shot Blok with my long run on Sunday...I really liked the GU well the energy it gave me, not so crazy about the thick gel but I took that before I started running and was able to eat a little then drink and that really helped. I (stupidly) ate the shot blok when I wasn't near any water and even though it was chewy it did upset my stomach a little. Lesson learned - that's what training is for right? I'm thinking I will do a gel right before the race, and another one around mile 5-6 then again around mile 10-11, I plan on getting water around every 3 miles and I think I'm going to keep my own water bottle with me too...I just want it to be here!

Tennis - oh how I used to love thee...

We are participating in the Y games at my company - it is a makeup of different athletic events and all of us crazy people from businesses around town sign up to participate. It is ususally full of trash-talk, injuries and lots of fun. This year I only participated in tennis since I am a runner and all (ha) plus I just didn't feel like running all over town to practices and the different events.

So last night was the first (and last) night of the tennis tourney and I just realized how much is involved in playing...I am sore all over! I knew my hands would be, the end of the raquet always leaves sore area in my palms when I haven't played in a while (last time I played - last year's tourney lol). What I was not prepared for is my arms and shoulders being so sore! It feels like I have been lifting weights or doing pushups or something. I am really feeling it!

All in all it was worth it, I laughed a lot more than I had in the past tourneys. The ladies we played against were just out there to have fun, and running around after a ball for an hour and a half - or so - burned off plenty of calories and worked up lots of sweat so its all good. To top it all of I didn't curse out any line judges, break my racket or incur any fines!

Back to my running while waiting for Taylor which works out really well, that way I can go to the school early, park, take a jog around the neighboorhood and by the time I am finished she should be finished as well. Then my workout is done and I've picked up my girlie.

24 Days To Go!!!

My very first half marathon is a mere 24 days from now (I should probably go register huh?)...time has flown by! It seems like just yesterday I was all giddy and excited about training, now I just want it to be here. The excitement is still there - what else could it be making me get out of bed, dressed and on the road at 5am? But this training for months is really hard, I am sure I will be thankful for it come race day.

My long run on Sunday was really surprising, even with walk breaks I did 7 miles in a hour and a half...that's the longest I've run since the River Run and after the run I felt really good, no headaches, no nausea. This week's long run is 8 miles YIKES! We'll have to see if my body holds up after that one.

I will be able to get in one 10 mile run (my first double digit run whoohoo) the weekend before the race, that one will be the true test of how I will feel after the race itself I think. After this morning's 5 miler I really need to make sure I am starting off a lot slower I was ready to lay down and take a nap around mile 4...

On a positive note I tried on the ring at Tiffany and Co. when we were in Orlando for vacation - actually I tried on a few and now I can't decide which one I want this one: or this one: AND my necklace broke at the waterpark so I need a new one and I am in LOVE with this one:...so we'll see what I decide to get...I need a reward for all this hard work AND my birthday is a week after the race - I think I'm talking myself into a few pieces of the shiny stuff :)