Week #3 Begins

This morning, I was signed up to work the morning shift at work for overtime.  That shift starts at 5:45am.  That means I have to wake up and start getting ready for work no later than 4:30am.  I had 4 miles on the run schedule for today.  I live in central Texas and it’s the end of August so guess what…it’s hot outside.  H-O-T.  I sure as heck wasn’t going to run in the afternoon or the evening because it’s still way too hot out…and I wasn’t about to miss my run either.  What did I do?  Wouldn’t you know I set my alarm for 3:00am and was out the door no later than 3:30 to hit the pavement.  Yep, I’m crazy for sure now. 

I wore my new blue Mizuno Wave Inspire 10’s and they were great.  They felt really good the whole run and I’m very happy with them.  I felt strong and good on this run.  Yesterday’s day of rest was definitely not wasted.  Sure, I *should have* done yoga or I *should have* done the P90X x-stretch session.  Blah blah blah. 

Something I’ve come to notice about my motivation level.  As far as running goes, I’m at 100%.  When it comes to eating healthy or doing anything other than running, not so much.  I would really like to drop at least 10 pounds in the next couple/few months.  Originally I had wanted to be at or at least near 170 by my birthday/marathon in mid-December.  I don’t think that’s going to happen simply because I can’t seem to get myself to stick to a diet long enough to see any lasting results.  It’s so frustrating, but I only have myself to blame.  I’ll get a handle on it eventually, I know I will.  I have faith in myself that I can succeed. 

So, this week is week #3 of marathon training!!!  So exciting!  I’m very happy with myself that I’m sticking with the program that I have laid out for myself.  A friend of mine that has run for years and who currently runs with an organized running program/group has been trying to get me to join up with a running program/group…not necessarily the one she runs with, but just to join one.  While I know I would benefit from joining one, I’m not sure it’s for me.  Most of these groups meet up between 5 and 7pm.  I’m at work.  If…IF…they meet in the mornings, it’s at least an hour after I prefer to start my runs at this time of year.  Plus, I’d have to drive, quite possibly in morning rush hour traffic, to get to the meet up to run with them.  Plus the $50 or whatever monthly membership dues.  It’s just not for me…at least not right now.  I’m not going to rule it out for some time in the future, but for right now it’s not for me.

When I was at Texas Running Company buying my new blue shoes, I noticed that they had a plethora of GU’s.  I grabbed a few that looked intriguing: lemonade, pineapple and watermelon!  Monica at Run, Eat, Repeat is in love with watermelon, pretty much to the point of obsession and she had mentioned this watermelon GU in her blog a while back.

Right now, since I’m getting up super early (for me) to do my runs before it gets super hot out, I’m just getting up, getting dressed, prepping my water and then heading out the door to run.  I’m not eating breakfast before I run like I do when I run later in the morning during the winter.  You really shouldn’t run on an empty stomach, so I have been taking in a gel before I head out the door on any 4+ mile run.  On my longer runs (8+ miles) I will take a second gel with me to refuel during my run.  

Oh, also...my mileage total for August is 54.5 miles.  Not too shabby, especially when you consider that was only half of the month!!!