3rd times a charm!

As I wrote yesterday, I told you I was VERY discouraged about my training because I had twice attempted my long run and it was foiled by either extreme heat or torrential rain.  Last night I went to bed knowing that today was my last shot for this week to get this run in.  I tried to have a positive attitude.  I had my smoothie, I set out my clothes, I set my alarm for an ungodly early hour.  And I hoped for the best....

And today.....I DID IT.  It wasn't pretty.  There was a lot of sweat and even some blood involved in the process.  I did stop 3 times for various reasons.  The first time, about 10 minutes in I thought it looked like rain was immanent.  So I stopped at my parents house to check the radar.  After analyzing that for a few minutes, I continued on.  I stopped again at the Y for a potty break and water refill.  I stopped again at my house for another potty break, water refill, and Gatorade sip.  (I never was a fan of Gatorade, but I may now be IN LOVE.)  But week 4 of training is in the books and next week I will increase my long run by a mile.

Goals for next week:
-Run 15 miles.
-Get stops/water breaks in the under 5 minute range....right now I am dawdling and it's like 8-10 minutes.  You can ask most people I know....being on time is never my priority.
-Get my "getting ready for a run" to be quicker.  I just purchased some new sunscreen which is spray on instead of rub on so I am hoping that goes faster.  (Being very Irish and German, I am extremely pale.  I don't believe I have ever had a tan.  I just burn.  So I am always on the sunscreen train!  I use Neutrogena brand and love it!)

Just a little blood and sweat...
This was taken AFTER my cool-down walk and AFTER I had to
drive to my parents' house to shower because my bathroom had 2 construction
workers in it.  I didn't think it was appropriate to shower with them there! :)  The reason for
that LONG story was I look extremely sweaty after a run and in this picture I don't look THAT terrible!

Thanks for reading friends!

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

6/27/13	Week 4
Greatest Moment…A real girl’s great moments	Uhhhhh…feeling super discouraged about the greatest moments this week.  Greatest moment??  I  just typed this WHOLE thing and am really can’t think of anything…
Worst Moment…A real girl’s worst moments…let’s be REAL	I have TWICE attempted my 14 mile long run this week.  The first was ended at 8 because it was hot-dog-HOT.  The second ended at 6 because it was RAINING.  And not just a little rain, like “Let’s go build an ark” rain.
Training Schedule…A real girl only has 24 hours and 7 days a week	I have made my rigid schedule more flexible.  The rain and hot have made me a mini-meteorologist and I am planning my runs around it.  I am putting my long run during the week at any point where the humidity is not at 100% and it’s not raining.  I will attempt my long run AGAIN tomorrow.  Third time is a charm right?
Injury…A real girl gets injured sometimes…	My toenail will eventually fall off….please invite me over to your home for a pedicure session.  It won’t be gross at all.
Nutrition…A girl has gotta eat…	I am incorporating a late night (10PM for this girl!) protein snack like a smoothie, yogurt, or cheese and crackers.  This is helping
Problems…A girl has always got problems…	-Staying hydrated on a run—I am now running with my water bottle.  I look SO cool. -Heat—I am still a wimp here.
Insightful Moments…Somewhere on that road a girl has got to have some great ideas	My house is getting a new roof, so I have spent the last few runs analyzing all the roofs in the local area.  Let me know if you want me to come and give you my expert opinion on your roof! J
Fashion…A real girl loves to look good while running	I want to invent a shirt that changes colors with the more you sweat.  Or maybe the color intensifies?  Just an idea…

Like my chart indicates, I am feeling really discouraged and doubtful that this marathon is possible.  It is SO hard to get a good run in when the humidity is making the 85* temperature seem like 92*.  It's also making it really difficult to plan a long run when you know it might start pouring at ANY given point.  I don't mind a light rain.  I do mind a monsoon.  I'll try for my 14 miles again tomorrow.  If it doesn't work, then next week is a new week.  I hope.  I can do this, right?