5! *and still alive*

OK.  Sorry the title is so lame.

I did my first long run for the fall marathon season today.  I really liked getting it done on Saturday instead of Sunday.  When I wait 'til Sunday, sometimes I build it up so much in my mind that I dread it all weekend and look for reasons not to do it.  Not this time!

I got up at 6:30 and should have high-tailed it out the door, but I putzed (sp?) around about 45 mins while it heated up outside.  I got through it though.  Other than the heat and humidity it wasn't bad at all.  Plus, no walk breaks this time!

The only bad thing is my foot situation.  I'll save you from another blister picture but my feet are getting worse, both in the same place on each foot.  I have tried moleskin, body glide, dry-fit socks.  You name it!  So I went down to Fleet Feet Birmingham and gave them a run down (so to speak) of my situation.  They were super helpful and suggested inserts as well as a new ointment for chaffing that has vitamins in it!  It is supposed to help be not only preventative, but healing as well.  I'll try anything at this point and we frankly glad to not end up buying $100+ shoes.  Another interesting suggestion was to duct tape the places that are already blistered when I'm running.  The guy said ultra runners do it.  So, why not?

I'll be putting these new ideas into practice over the next week and on my next long run.  So I'll let you (hypothetical, if-anyone-is-listening out there you) know how it goes.  Until then, get out there and run and try to stay cool while you're doing it!

5 miles (+.25 cool down walk), approximately 53 mins.  No walk breaks!

OBX Marathon Training - Day ONE

After having a false start training for a marathon on Labor Day weekend (which incidentally would serve as the perfect excuse to miss my 10 year high school reunion), I have found a new race.  Today I got an email about Runner's World's 16-week marathon training plan.  The plan begins this week and ends in a marathon the second weekend in November.  I thought, it's a sign.  This is my chance to run a fall marathon.  So I googled, found the OBX Marathon (not far from my husband's family) and decided, why not?

I mapped out a plan and started today.  I know this sporadic blog has little to no readership, but I am going to write here as a diary for myself.  SELF, today is the beginning.  It was a difficult 4-miler outside in the blazin' heat, but you finished.  Your shirt felt a bit snug, your shorts a bit short and you took 3 walk breaks ending with a time around 42 minutes.  It will get easier.  Must remember that.  It will get easier.  And to commemorate the first day of training, I took this picture.

In 16 weeks I will be faster, stronger and maybe even a little slimmer!  Here's to that!