Mama Knows Best...

...yeah, I said it.

Last night when my mom warned me today would be one of the hottest days of the summer and that it probably wasn't a good idea to do my first long run outside, why would I have thought she was actually right?  Why would I have listened to her and run on the treadmill, rather than outside?  Well, because Im her daughter, of course.

After waking up an hour later than planned, with temperatures 15 degrees above what I had expected, I took my first steps outside in the 98 degree weather.  Upon finishing my first 1/2 mile, I knew mom had been right...

But at that point I was already committed and actually ended up running past her driving to our gym (totally unplanned) on mile 2.  Mile 3.5-4 were really tough for me today - and my amazing mother must have sensed it, because just when I hit mile 4.5 and was about to switch to a brisk walk, I saw mom's car stop right in front of me waving an ice cold bottled water - and boy did I need it!  After a few sips and a splash in the face, I didn't have to stop and walk after all and finished my first 6 miler in 1hr 2mins and 33secs (I did end up walking a few times).  Given the temperature, it was a much better time than I had expected.

I think had a few things been different I could have had an even better time.  Since I switched my training schedule a bit this week and swapped my scheduled rest day today with the planned 6 miler tomorrow (Because we'll be on a PLANE!!) I should have had a rest day before the long run and my legs were a little sore from the training last week.  Also, the HEAT - next time I definitely will run inside on a day like this - not worth the extra heavy breath and weird tan lines.  And there's one other little thing...BRING WATER...since I've only been logging milage of  4 or under, and at 6 am when the temp barely reaches the 60s, I haven't really needed to replenish the fluids lost during a run.  NOT the same for the long runs...I know, I know...DUH - but I really didn't plan well for this one.

Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow and then picking up training again from M-E-X-I-C-O!!

The Hunger Games Have BEGUN!!

 What I think I look like while running...

 

What I probably look like while running...

The FIRST days of marathon training have been great so far!   The beginning of the schedule does a good job of easing you/your body into things.  Yesterday I did a 3 miler, same today, and I'll do another 3 miler tomorrow.

This morning, after I finished my run, while cooling down/walking back to my apt I saw a RUNNER in THESE:

What the HECK are those?!!  They reminded me of a combo of rollerblades and moon shoes!  I mean SERIOUSLY, remember these?

 

I dont know how he was maintaining a decent pace and running in those contraptions....

Anyway, My first long run is supposed to be Saturday, but I am leaving early that morning for vacation, so I'll swap Friday's rest day with the long run and rest on Saturday.

Because this mileage is what I am used to doing anyway, I have been trying to get creative with my routes.  Rather than just going 1.5 miles up one way and doubling back, I've been doing more loops, which I like a lot more.  It makes the time go by much faster and keeps it more interesting than spending the second half of your run just on the other side of the street you had done previously.  (**If anyone has suggestions for loops in DC - I know there are a bajillion - let me know!! **)

Maybe on tomorrow's run I'll see someone running with a Skip It

...now THAT would be TALENT!