Days 3 & 4: Biking Adventures

Yesterday I decided to take a break from running and take a little biking adventure to Road Runner at Rt. 175 and Rt 95. The trip was about 30 miles round trip. I went to pick up my race packet for the MCVET 10K in Baltimore I'm doing this Sunday morning with my best friend Maria's sister, Katie. It was SO HOT on my ride there. So hot that I did, indeed, get sunburnt, and so hot, indeed, that I had to take a break or two to rehydrate myself. I did try one of those PowerBar Goo packs before I left and wooooowwwee I felt nasty after eating that. I was like eating that nasty flavored medicine when you have the stomach virus and have to stomach it---it was way too syrupy. Anyways, on my way home from Road Runner (where I did try on the Brooks Adrenaline shoe, and I can't wait until I have enough money to buy a pair!), I dropped off Katie's race packet at her house and hung out for a little while. Breaks are great on hot summer days.

Then, today, I went over my friend Kristin's. Kristin is in an intense Pre-Physical Therapy program up at Northeastern University in Boston. It's so intense that she has no summer--she has to take classes and also do her co-op over the summer up in Boston....soooo she's never in Maryland. Luckily, she's home for the weekend so myself and a bunch of friends from when I was in Youth Group back in high school went over and just chilled in her pool. Of course, I rode my bike there. She lives over by Centennial High School so the bike ride wasn't too brutal. The ride home was scorching!

ALSO my dad FINALLY put the air conditioning in--man oh man, I LOVE air conditioning. It feels soooo good to come home to a cool house after being out in the sun all afternoon. I know I do have a pretty nice sunburn, but I'm just scared to see how bad it is.

That's all for today. PEACE

Day 2: bleh and freeze pops

Yesterday I felt really nauseous after my run...even through the night....and was just hoping that it would go away. Which it did, but then mid afternoon today I started to feel sick again. I hope it's not me getting nervous for my runs? Which it could be. Who am I trying to impress though? NO ONE. We had a torrential downpour with an accompanying thunderstorm this afternoon, and for a second I thought I was in monsoon land so I didn't go out for my run until after the sky cleared.

It's weird that I went on my run and couldn't even run the whole thing because I was so angry. I'm not sure why I was upset, I just was frustrated. I think it's time for some Bikram Yoga to ease my nerves. Today I ran a little over 4 miles (was only planning on running 3). I ran up to Rt. 99, back down to Rt. 40, and then up a little trail through the woods and around Chapelgate and back home.

Right before I left school, my dear friend Alex gave me a package of freeze pops and let me tell you, they are the BEST treat after a run. That basically is my motivation to run. Today I had a green one--tasty!

showatime

Day 1: Let the journey begin!

I registered for the Marine Corps Marathon a month or so ago. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my entire life to enter my credit card information before because registering for a marathon is a big deal---you're signing yourself up for months of training, sleepless nights, sweaty t-shirts, and some intense mental preparation. This past fall I ran/completed both the Baltimore and Philadelphia Half Marathons. Baltimore was by far my favorite because it was through my favorite city, but Philly was a close second because it was a fast course!! I ran the Philly Half 5 weeks after the Baltimore Half. WOW!

Today was my first run to kick off my training. It started off with a 9am appt with my podiatrist who told me to get new shoes every 250 miles (which I'm well past) and to NOT get the Vibram 5 Finger shoes (he said they're great to walk in, but other than that they're just a scam). After running endless errands, I came home and laced up my trusty Pumas!

 I ran about 6.4 miles. About 3 miles in I felt like I was birthing a child so had to lay down and take a break .... in the middle of the sidewalk. I ran past a girl that I went to middle school with and we waved--it's always great to see someone you know! With about a little more than a mile to go, I thought I was going to blow chunks, so I just stopped and walked to a restaurant on my trek home and  got some water. It also started to thunder / pour....sooo it was good to take a break.

After a 2 week break filled with finals, moving home, and unhealthy eating, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things! One of my favorite things about the summer is the heat and sweating. There's nothing like coming home after a long run with a drenched cotton t-shirt. Yeah, Under Armour works fabulously, but I love the traditional cotton tee sometimes.

Today I learned that I will indeed get blisters even after only a two week break and that I need new shoes!

TIME FOR A SHOWER!