Feb. 19 12 miles

Today was just an easy run. I headed out about 8:00am and it was 33 degrees out. With all the warm days this week I have been used to wearing shorts so I opted for shorts, a tshirt, and a long sleeve tech shirt. I was a pleasant morning as usual in seneca with all the other runners. I ran the 12 miles in 1hr and 54 mins. I felt ok, I think I was probably dehydrated but it was nothing that I couldn't push through. I have to keep reminding myself the 12 miles is a long way even though it feels like an easy run. I need to prepare better. During my run I noticed that my left hip flexor is getting really weak and after the run it was really hard to lift my leg. I need to start stretching and working on making it stringer or these next few long runs are going to be miserable. I also still have the pain in my left arch but I took it easy this week hoping a little rest would help. It doesn't hurt as bad but its still there. I'll be using a bag of peas on it for the next few weeks. Other than that the run was just ok, not the best, but certainly not the worst. Next weekend is 18 miles which I am finally going to get to run with Angie and Clara.

Feb. 12 16 miles

I had a pretty good run this morning. I headed out the door at about 8:00 and it was 30 degrees out. I wore my tights, a tshirt, and a long sleeve tshirt because I was too afraid I would get hot on a 16 mile run. I was right, its not that I got too hot its that i was sweating and I wore a regular cotton tshirt. I know better than to do this because I have gotten spoiled by my tech shirts. Of course the cotton tshirt became heavy and damp and that drove me crazy. I did my run through seneca, which was amazing this saturday morning. It was filled with runners, everyone giving you a good morning head nod. There was also a race going on which I think added to the number of runners in the park. I love running in seneca on a saturday morning because of all the runners. There seems to be a mutual "I know how you feel" that you get from passing a fellow runner and giving a head nod. The run went pretty well, I was feeling good. I still have the nagging pain in my arch and the pain in my right knee, but I bought new shoes on sunday so I am hoping that helps. This was also the first run of this training session that I had to eat the gu. I stopped and bought and powerbar gel strawberry banana and also picked up a hammergel apple cinnamon. Last marathon training season I could only eat the powerbar gel , but people kept telling my to try the hammergel. I packed the hammergel with me and ate it at mile 12.5. As usual I began to gag. The taste of it is really good but it is too thick for me to eat. I looked ridiculous trying to get it down while other runners were passing me. I finally managed to eat half of it and decided that it was enough to get me through the next 4 miles. I guess I am going to stick with the powerbar gel from now on. Other than that the run was pretty good. I am glad to be to the point in my training where over half my long run feels easy. It wasn't until about mile 14 when I started to wish I was running with someone to keep me motivated. This shows I am making progress.

Feb. 4 15 miles

I ran 15 miles in seneca on a friday because it was suppose to snow on saturday. I wanted to get my long run in and not have to worry about the snow. I went about 8:30am and it was about 22 degrees out. I wore tights, underarmor, a tshirt, hat, and gloves. For breakfast I had an english muffin and a little bit of coffee. It was a pretty good run overall. When I first started out I was getting the nagging cramp in my side before mile 2 and I thought the run was going to be doomed, but it disappeared after a while. I ran through seneca park trying to remember where Angie and I had run when we did out 22 miles last spring. I did pretty well until I had turned around to come back and followed seneca loop too far. I ended up and little lost and looked like an idiot to the only other runners I had seen all day. Finally I got back to my route and made it home. I ran the 15 miles in 2h 26min which was a much better pace than Angie and I had last week. I feel comfortable with where I am in my training and it turned out to be a really good run overall. I usually have a rough time doing these long runs by myself, but I felt good. Now I just need to get a few good runs in during the week. I have also picked up swimming laps and I think that is helping to take some of the stress of my legs. I had a few ouchy biotches while running. My knees are starting to feel the impact of the long runs which happened last year and I also have a pain in my left arch that has me slightly worried. Guess its time to break out the bag of peas. Angie and Clara ran 14 miles on saturday and Angie said she felt good also, which is awesome. I think Clara is struggling a little but I hope she makes it through.