It has been a long time since I've written. I will try to make a concentrated effort to write more often...
Overall, the Stillwater marathon on May 30th this year went fairly well. I didn't quite get the time I wanted, but even "professional" marathoners were having to slow down that day... it was REALLY hot. Even some pacers were dropping. But, I finished in 4:40 (and some seconds... but I can't remember), and when I came home, one of the first things I did was sign up for the Twin Cities marathon, coming this October. Which I have now been training for a couple of months.
Today was a 17 mile day. I started a little after 7 am. It started raining during the run... enough so that I was drenched by the time I was done. I really don't mind running in the rain, but I did get a little chilled. I guess that's what happens when my body is exhausted, a bit dehydrated, and needing food. But there are always factors to contribute to going "against" a run. In my case, I certainly had some positives, too. Only a few miles in, I almost literally ran into a friend of mine from college. It was really nice to see her, and it was also really fun to find out that she is also doing the Twin Cities marathon. If we can work it out, we're hoping to do a few long runs together.
I also had company for about the last 7 or so miles. It was so much needed! After wearing 3-inch heals the last two days in a row, my feet were sore to begin with, and were occasionally spasming along the way... Not to mention that she also let me drink from her water bottle, and really kept my exhausted (4-ish hours of sleep the night before) self going. I love her... I love having company when I run... and running the last few miles with me=perfect.
GU shots are necessary in the summer-time heat. I tried a couple more today, and so far neither the blackberry one or the lemon sublime are not too bad. Can't say I love them. Thinking of making my own...
After I ran today, I went to Tao Foods. I needed to pick up some cleavers (an herb that my mom and I have used for tea), and I also wanted a smoothie. By the time I got there, I was definitely realizing I also wanted some FOOD. Very hungry. I had an absolutely fabulous salad, with two poached eggs on the side. The thing I love about Tao Foods is that all the food they serve is organic. And it tastes fabulous.
Two very odd things I've noticed lately:
1) My desire for meat has so much diminished that I either have to be extremely hungry to eat it, or it pretty much turns my stomach... although fish is not so bad. My mom says I tend to become more vegetarian every summer. Must be the heat.
2) I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday mainly because the pair I had bought back in June felt TOO SMALL. Which is weird. But again, probably the heat causing my feet to swell even more with the miles. I'll go back to them (I hope) when it starts cooling off again.
I'm still experimenting with carrying water and how much food and what types of food to eat with running in the summer heat. I don't mind the heat... but if I've got some miles to put in, there's some planning that has to go in... not to mention starting early enough. Most of the time I can even deal with early (like 6 am) morning high 80-something degrees and so humid it looks foggy, as long as the sun isn't too high up yet. The sun can drain me pretty quickly in that kind of weather especially. I've been "tweaking" my training schedule to include a lot more "cross" training type things... as long as I'm getting in my long runs and at least 2-3 decent runs during the week.
Overall, I am seriously going to try my own version of a "GU shot." I'll let you know if it turns out or helps. Maybe. Happy running, everyone!
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