It's Official!

I signed up for the Marshall University Marathon today during my lunch break at work. Eek! I don't know if I want to vomit or just go ahead and let my heart explode out of my chest. I told Hubs that I registered and he said that I actually paid for this torture, which is funny since Hal Higdon has a chapter in his book dedicated to that thinking.

I'm pretty scared, excited, nervous, thrilled, and anxious! I've got about 13 more weeks to go in my training and anything could happen between now and then. For now, I'm sticking to my training, playing it smart, and if I have to walk to the finish line, then so be it and move on. ;)

My running has been going extremely well these last few weeks. I've been getting used to the heat and my feet have been feeling pretty light. I've gotten some sub 30 minute 3 mile runs in and my average pace has been in the 10ish minute mile. This time last year, it was a 11 minute mile that I had to really work at to maintain. My IT band has finally stopped hurting and I've been running hills the last two weeks with no problem.

Wahoo!! Huntington, here I come.

Aloha!

Seems like everyone is on vacation this week, except for me. It's funny since this is about the time I've taken at least a small vacation this time of year in the past. See, today's my wedding anniversary, and Husband and I usually take off somewhere. Our first anniversary was in Clearwater, FL. The second and following years have been in a cabin in the woods. This year, wait for it, we're going grocery shopping. ;) Seriously, we're going out to eat tomorrow at the Melting Pot, which is fondue and sound absolutely amazing. Can't wait!

Yesterday, after work, I took to the streets for a run. It was the first time since Zooma that I've been on the streets and running hills. Oh my, did it ever show. I was cramping before the first mile, and it stayed with me for another 5-6 minutes. I looked at my watch and it said my first half mile took 6 minutes, sheesh! I did pick up the pace a bit, but the heat was getting to me, which it was about 86 with humidity and NO shade, plus the cars passing warmed me up even more. As I finished, I felt great. I did it. Hills and I did them without even thinking of my IT Band. Okay, that was a lie. I did think about it, but it didn't get tight, even on the downhills. SWEET! I'm feeling more and more optimistic as the weeks roll by.

Tomorrow, there's 9 miles on the schedule. It's suppose to be hot, like weather advisory hot, so I'm going to get up as early as I can to make it out there before it gets too bad. The trail does offer shade and a breeze that I hated in the winter, but it's more than welcome now. I'll how well my run goes by my legs, if the feel good, then I'm going to register for my full marathon. Heck, I'm about to finish week 3 of my training, I think I've already committed. I'm definitely going to be there, but I hope it's for the full and not for the half.

After my run, I'm getting my hair done, which is MUCH needed. Then I'll hang out and get ready for dinner. ;)

Hot Stuff Coming Through!

I went down to the trail after work today and headed out for 3 miles. It was about 86* with humidity when I started, but after I warmed up, I didn't mind the heat as much. Could it be? Could I be assimilated?? Maybe I'm getting there. After the first 1/2 mile, I picked up the pace. It felt SOO good to release my legs, they've been wanted to go fast (Valerie fast, that is) and I felt confident enough to let them go. Breathing the warm air was a little tough, but not too bad. Everything feel into place and I ended up finished right under 29 minutes, even with a slower 1/2 warmup. I was so stoked at the end of my run, my only regret is that it wasn't longer than 3 miles. I'm feeling pretty confident about the marathon running this week. I want to head out for my LSD, just to see how my legs handle a 9 mile run.

Oh, my legs felt great! YAY! My Nike Free's rock, I've started to wear them more and more, which is awesome. :)

Sizzle

So we came home to a broken a/c this afternoon. Crap! I wanted to run inside to escape the heat since it was over 90 with humidity again today. I thought I would do some work and then maybe our a/c would be thawed out before I did my run. WRONG!!
I actually did run on the treadmill for three miles and it was the first time i ever ditched my shirt during a run. Our office was steamy! I hope i didn't cause any harm to the chinchilla with the heat I made. Poor girl. Anyways, I ended up running in my nike frees for 3 miles and my legs felt great. My stomach is another story. We stopped off for Chinese food after work, and even though I waited over an hour to run, I still got nauseous. However, since my legs felt great, there was no way I was ending that run. ;)

Tomorrow is a rest day and then I have my long run on Sunday.

Day 2?

I could be my second running day of marathon training. I'm not going to say I'm officially in until the weekend is over. Tonight, I did 3 miles on the treadmill at a 10:43 pace, mind you I run faster outside than on this dang treadmill. I didn't have any knee pain while running, but I felt a little tightness when I walked to cool down. Weird! I usually didn't feel anything when I walked. No pain while running tho, so I'll take it. Not even any tightness!! I did my foam roller and ate some protein along with half a bag of peas (which was followed up by half a bag of gold fish, serious problem with those.)

Tomorrow will be another 3, which will probably be on the treadmill again. It's so hot outside, about 94 WITH humidity. The weather channel is sending out warnings, which I'll take. I'll complain if it's too hot, but tell me to stay inside, I will. :)

Back to Civilization.

Ugh, I hate the first day back to work after a long weekend or vacation. I was staying at my parent's campsite down in Harman, WV, it's a little past Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley. I always love going down to that area. The hills and beautiful sights always make my heart heavy. I often fantasize about moving down to the area and simplifying, but it's not in the cards....for now. I did do some running with Husband in Canaan Valley, so pretty! He ended up going by himself the next day. I didn't go since my dad and I went horseback riding that morning, which I'm considering as cross training. My back muscles and butt are still sore. Such a nice Fourth, which is a good change.

When I got back home yesterday, Hal Higdon's "Marathon" book was waiting for me. I read the first chapter and then jumped on the treadmill. I did 3 miles and it felt perfectly fine. I could feel my achy horseback riding muscles, but nothing in the IT band. Awesome! Me running a marathon this fall will be determined after this weekend's "long" run. If I can make it through 7 miles without my IT band hurting, I'm signing up. If it does hurt, I'll probably rest up a bit and attempt a long run again the following week. I am following Hal's novice program and so far, day 1 of running was great. I have two more 3 mile runs and then I'll be doing the long run Saturday.

I guess I'm in my official training, but I don't want to say it out loud until I know I can finish a long run. Cross your fingers.